NFL Blitz has always been more than just a game. For many of us, it’s a passion, tradition, and
a way of life. Yet, with this deep-seated passion often comes a whirlwind of emotions, from the
exhilarating highs of victory to the crushing lows of defeat. Navigating these emotions effectively
can be challenging, especially in a culture where emotional expression is often stigmatized
among men. In moments, we take ourselves too seriously and find ourselves in silly games of
reactions and emotions. Our primal instincts leaning into our emotions are simply defence
mechanisms to protect us from what may harm us. However, these behaviours can sometimes
lead us to behaviours that may be self-destructive or a period of grief. While traditionally men
have not been encouraged to experience their emotions in healthy ways that doesn’t mean it’s
not too late to change direction like double posts.

We don’t realize that, somewhere within us all, there does exist a supreme self who is eternally at peace. —Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love

1. Know Your Game Plan: Understanding Your Emotions

In football, every great team has a game plan. They analyze their opponents, understand their
strengths and weaknesses, and anticipate different scenarios. Similarly, we need to understand
our emotions. Are you feeling angry, sad, or stressed? Just like a player watches game footage
to analyze his performance, take a moment to reflect on why you’re feeling a certain way.
Understanding your emotions is the first step toward handling them better.

2. Stay Calm Under Pressure: Practice Composure

Think of a field goal. The entire Discord holds its breath as the QB hikes to kick the ball. The
pressure is immense, but the best players stay calm, focus, and trust their training. Life is full of
high-pressure moments, too. When you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a deep breath, just like a
player before a crucial kick. Find your center. Practicing mindfulness or deep breathing
exercises can help you stay calm under pressure, just like your favorite footballer, Sin.

3. Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Don’t Go It Alone

Football is a team sport, and no player wins a match by himself. In the same way, dealing with
emotions isn’t something you have to do alone. Share your feelings with friends, family, or even
a blitzer or therapist Ocho. Just like how a football team communicates and supports each other
on the field, having a support network in life can help you handle tough emotions. Sometimes, a
teammate’s perspective can make all the difference.

4. Learn from Your Mistakes: Reflect and Grow

Even the best football players make mistakes. What sets them apart is their ability to learn and
improve from those mistakes. If you lose your temper or react poorly to a situation, don’t beat
yourself up. Instead, reflect on what happened instead of pointing fingers and think about how
you can handle it better next time. Just like analyzing a lost game, look for the lessons in every
emotional experience. Growth comes from recognizing where you went wrong and making
changes.

5. Stay Fit: Mind and Body Connection

Football players know the importance of staying fit to perform at their best and it’s no different
for blitzers. The same goes for emotional health. Midnight pizzas, Sippy Saturdays, a slice a
bread is no healthy behavior for a star player like yourself. Also exercise is a powerful way to
manage stress and improve your mood. Whether it’s going for a run, hitting the gym, or kicking a
ball around, physical activity releases endorphins that boost your mood. Remember, a healthy
body supports a healthy mind, and regular exercise can help you handle emotions more
effectively.

6. Celebrate Your Wins: Acknowledge Your Feelings

When your team scores a goal, you cheer, taunt the enemy team, and celebrate. But in life,
many men feel they need to hide their positive emotions to appear tough. Don’t be afraid to
celebrate your wins, big or small. Whether it’s completing a touchdown or overcoming a
personal hurdle, take time to acknowledge your achievements. Celebrating your successes can
boost your confidence and motivate you to keep moving forward.

7. Respect the Fumble: Control What You Can, Let Go of What You Can’t

In football, players can’t control the direction of a fumble, no matter how unfair and unexpecting
they may be. Instead of getting mad at your RB for fumbling a ball, great players focus on what
they can control: their performance and attitude. Life is the same way. We can’t always control
what happens, but we can control how we react. Focus on what you can change and let go of
what you can’t. This mindset will help you stay grounded, even when things don’t go your way.

Play the Long Game

NFL Blitz is a game of endurance, strategy, and passion. Handling emotions is no different. It
requires patience, practice, and sometimes a change in tactics. By understanding your
emotions, staying calm under pressure, relying on your support network, learning from your
mistakes, staying fit, celebrating your wins, and focusing on what you can control, you’ll be
better equipped to handle whatever life throws at you. Just like in football, the goal is to keep
moving forward, one step at a time, and never lose sight of the bigger picture.

So, next time you feel overwhelmed by emotions, think about how you would handle it on the
pitch. Would you lose your cool, or would you play with composure and focus? Remember,
you’re the captain of your own emotional game. Make sure you’re leading yourself to victory.

Your man of culture, respect, dignity,
Tier 5 Player Sin

Resources:

• https://www.cnvc.org/
• https://smho-smso.ca/emhc/identification-and-management-of-emotions/
• https://www.aa.org/
• https://headsupguys.org/helpful-links/
• https://jack.org/Resources/Men-s-Mental-Health