In life, true alignment with the world around you leads to growth. There’s a subtle energy that speaks to you if you listen.
It’s about realizing the importance of others. It’s about attaining a kind of understanding. It’s about being humble, and having gratitude for the world around you. It’s about having a trust and respect for people.
When you have all of that, you have a kind of inner peace.
That’s who I am as a person when I’m at my best. And I try to mirror that on the football field. When I do, I’m in a state of flow.
At practice recently, the offense was coming off the field and we were heading on. As Doug Baldwin jogged past me, he said, “You have to die daily.”
I’ll be honest: I had no idea what Doug was talking about. So I gave him a thumbs up, and continued through the rest of the day.
But I kept thinking about it for a while afterward. “You have to die daily.” There was something about that spoke to me and to my spirit. And the more I thought, the more I realized what it was about.
Ego.
It’s easy to fall prey to a kind of hero mentality on the football field, and there’s a lot of ego wrapped up in that. I think you need some of that. There’s a fire in me that’s burning because of my pure love of the game. And there’s also a discipline I try to have about how I play, and a lot of that is centered on how I think about myself.
But Doug’s words really challenged me. They begged me to react to what he said, and they asked me to think. And I realized something that has occurred to me many times in my career as a football player: I can learn a lot from my teammates when my mind is clear.
He was right. My ego has to die daily. It needs to be that way for all of us. We need to get past the limits of who we are and what we know, and open ourselves to experience and understanding. Because when we do that — when we kill our ego — it actually helps us to achieve the highest and best expression of who we are, and who we were made to be.
You are a beautiful writer with so much wisdom. I read this post still thinking gratefully of your (spoken words) from 2 weeks ago—what it means to find the joy in watching your teammates play, and how powerful it is to connect with the love of what we do and to play and be present as we did as kids. It all seems so connected to what you are saying here, too. What a privilege to get to read about your journey, and to be inspired in my own work. Thank you.
Amen, Earl. Well said. Ego, the silent killer. Spread this around from yourself to the team and you guys are on your way…
Do it to it today. Go Hawks!
Wow thanks for the great read! You and Doug are amazing players and I really enjoy your guys’ quotes and reads likes this! U guys r true Seahawks and I love that you’re on our team!!
…now it’s time for some interceptions against the Cardinals! GO HAWKS! !
Mr. Thomas,
I am an educator and a program manager for a Navy Child and Youth Program. As I work with young children, school age and teens, I am always looking to present role models who embody the spirit of competition while embracing the concept of team and social responsibility. You, sir, are a role model as an athlete, a true competitor, a responsible and grounded human being and, even more importantly, a devoted and supportive father. I don’t usually send e-mails to sports figures but felt compelled to respond to this blog. I should also tell you that I am an “original” Seahawks fan, having watched and supported this team since it’s inception. You are a credit to your team and to the community of Seattle and I wish you continued success in your endeavors.
So insightful – GO HAWKS!
Brilliant! You have to die daily! love it
Are you married, Earl?
I love out ET takes a seemingly innocent comment from a teammate and dives in the depths of his psyche to find meaning and realization in it. Best of luck today on a huge game. 12th nation is behind you!
Earl Thomas, you are one of my favorite players of all time. Not only for your play on the field, but for your actions off the field. You have let the twelves glimpse a small part of your life and without even trying we can see the kind of man you are. When someone clears their mind enough to recognize the pitfalls of ego, they open themselves up to great things. Add to that a mutual respect and love for man and you can achieve unimaginable heights. Keep teaching those young guys Earl
#GoHawks
Very inspiring Earl. Well written. Very relatable in everyday life. Thank you.
LOVE MY CITY AND MY HAWKS
Thank you for all your hard work. Its appreciated.
Good words! Life words!
You are very wise to be so young. You must have an old soul. Thanks for these words.
Great insight. You go guys, no matter what the outcome of this season. If you have grown again – it was a success. Because you loose you become a winner.
Wow earl, thank you for that post!
Glad Doug a.k.a. Yoda could show you that personal insight. Already a huge hawk fan, and this makes me love you guys even more…..
What I have had the beautiful opportunity to observe, is that along with the stripping of ego, the love of one’s self is allowed to be unlocked, for a real confidence that transcends momentary greatness.
Thank you Earl, much LOVE and blessings….
Go Hawks!!!!!
I would have interpreted this as meaning the best way to grow is too cut out and kill those parts of you that are holding you back so you can grow something more productive and useful in place if the removed parts. Speaking all mentally and spiritually of course.
This includes ego, but it’s not solely I regards to the ego.
This is a great article and appreciate your insights and sharing with your fans.
Word for word. Could not agree more. You make big plays on and off the field. Thanks for being you. You have genius intellect sir.
the entire Hawks team are the eipitome of this lesson learned from Doug! So proud of this team who walk the walk. #gamechangers on & off the field.
To die is gain, to live is Christ!
Thanks for sharing those beautiful expressions of yourself, E.T. lll! Praying for your continuous spiritual growth!!
You are SO where you need to be to live in the Light. You have a great gift of awareness and you communicate it well. Thank you
Can I just say, thank you. Seriously Earl, you are very well spoken and thoughtful. I find myself to love to write about the things I come across that really changes my thought process or perhaps open up a whole new outlook. This is a wonderful post, and I think Doug could not have said a better expression and your interpretation of it is spot on. You are such an inspiration so please keep it up. Thank you for your words.
Thank you for another teachable moment for my 7th graders. Bless you and the team!
And this is why you are a miracle!
Sing it! Ego is one of the most destructive forces in human history, and is deadly to the success of one who lives and walks among others. The opposite of ego is team.
Earl, thank you for sharing these words of wisdom! Approaching any challenge in life requires the death of all that holds us back, whether it be doubt, ego, or fear. As we face the ever changing and uncertain world around us, we must shed all that weighs us down. These words are inspiring to me, as I am facing some big changes in my life, and this is a good reminder to focus on what’s important, and not be held back by my own limitations. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us! Thank you again for speaking truth and life into others who read your blog! You are a shining light in a generation that faces a lot of darkness. Keep shining Earl!
-Sheliah Roth