People tend to think that getting high in the draft, making a lot of money, and being famous will make them happy. The one thing all of these have in common is that they are results oriented.
In my experience, I have found that people who are results-oriented are more likely to be unhappy and have shorter and less distinguished careers, regardless of the chosen field. I’ve also found that people who are process-oriented tend not only to be happier, but also to have more fulfilling careers. If people changed their aforementioned approach to building an NFL career, being productive, and doing something they love, they would be much more likely to achieve the results they seek.
Being a top draft pick may seem important to the kids who are about to be selected this week, yet the reality is that they will be measured by what they achieve once they get there. Being a top pick in the draft can be a bit tricky for players if they don’t have immediate success, and he’s ended many promising careers too soon.
There have been 19 different quarterbacks in the top five picks from the last 15 NFL draws. Only two of them have played in the Super Bowl and only one has a Super Bowl ring: Eli Manning won twice. During that same time frame, 42 quarterbacks have been selected in the first round and only six of them have led their team to a Super Bowl. Those six have a combined Super Bowl record of 6-3.
Ironically, the record for quarterbacks in the Super Bowl who were not first-round picks during that same time frame is also 6-3. Interestingly, two quarterbacks who entered the league undrafted (just before the 1999 draft), Kurt Warner and Jack Delhomme started in four Super Bowls between them. The only player to start at quarterback in more Super Bowls over the past 15 years than undrafted Warner was the 199th player selected in the 2000 draft, Tom Brady.
While it’s nice to be a top pick in the draft (and you’ll see more money at first), it has little to do with what’s ultimately important; what you accomplish once you’re on the big stage. To put things in perspective … Would you rather leave a legacy of being a quarterback who was one of the top five picks in the draft (such as Tim Couch, Akili Smith, David Carr, Joey Harrington, Carson Palmer, Vince Young or JaMarcus Russell)? Or one that ends up in the Professional Football Hall of Fame (like Tom Brady or Kurt Warner)?
You can follow Sam on Twitter: @SuperTaoInc
