Articles
Building Culture Before Chasing Wins
When most people think of football, they think about strategy, athleticism, and Friday night lights. But ask Dr. Lawrence E. Smith, and he’ll tell you that none of those matter without one thing: culture.
Culture is the invisible force that shapes everything a team does. It’s the belief system that drives how players show up to practice, how they respond to setbacks, and how they treat one another when no one is watching.
Discipline and Freedom: The Paradox That Works
Discipline and freedom might sound like opposites, but in Dr. Smith’s world, they go hand in hand. A disciplined team is not one that feels restricted, it’s one that feels empowered.
When young people learn to show up on time, give their best effort, and stay accountable to their teammates, they actually experience a greater sense of freedom. Why? Because discipline removes chaos. It creates stability. And within that stability, players find confidence, clarity, and purpose.
Dr. Smith argues that this lesson isn’t just for athletes. It’s for anyone who wants to succeed. Whether in business, family, or education, structure and accountability don’t limit us—they free us to reach our full potential.
Brotherhood Beyond the Field
For many of Dr. Smith’s players, football wasn’t just a sport, it was family. Coming from diverse backgrounds, some with limited support systems, the team became a brotherhood that carried them through challenges both on and off the field.
In Football Will Take Care of Itself, he shares stories of players who built lifelong bonds, supporting one another through college, careers, and even parenthood. This brotherhood, forged in sweat and perseverance, demonstrates that sports at their best are about more than games, they are about relationships that endure.
Dr. Smith’s message is clear: when leaders invest in building real connection, they don’t just create teams. They create families.