Since 2011, The Tampa Bay Bucs have only had one winning season and haven't made the playoffs since 2007. They have some talented young players and still haven’t given up on Jameis Winston as their franchise quarterback, but this is a very critical season for the team.
They have a new head coach, Bruce Arians, who has been around the NFL for a long time and has been a part of many successful teams. He brings a level of credibility and experience that should prove to be very valuable to the locker room.
One of the changes already being felt according to Bucs center, Ryan Jensen, is the accountability required. He recently commented:
“The one thing that really sticks out to me is the way B.A. is going to keep guys accountable. And that’s big. You know, he’s got that personality that he wants to win and it’s the guys’ team, the players’ team.
That’s how he approaches it, where he’s just a head coach but the culture he’s trying to set is that it’s the players’ team. And that comes with players keeping players accountable, and I think that’s going to be a big change this year for us.”
There's no question that being held accountable, whether in football or life, leads to great results. Very simply, it starts with people understanding the expectations and standards and then discussing whether or not everyone lives up to what they set out to do.
Of course, mistakes will be made and people will fall short in certain areas, but when there's a culture of accountability, everyone is able to figure out what went wrong, why it happened, and how to fix it moving forward.
In this type of environment, nobody is trying to get away with anything, but rather own up to the ways they blow it while desiring to improve. It’s easier to get better and accomplish goals together instead of attempting to progress on our own.
Proverbs 12:15 (ESV) says, "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.”
Good accountability requires tough love accompanied by grace without tearing each other down. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV) is a good reminder: "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”
As followers of Jesus, making accountability a key part of our lives can be a game changer. When we have friends we can be transparent with about our struggles and mistakes, we can help each other grow in significant ways.
Instead of trying to hide our mishaps or weaknesses, we get it out there so others can come alongside us.
James 5:16 (NLT) tells us to "Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”
We point each other toward Jesus while holding each other accountable to live a life of obedience and integrity while strengthening one another.
Proverbs 27:17 (AMP) explains, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another .”
Today, let’s not fear transparency or run from accountability, but surround ourselves with people who will encourage us to persevere and grow to become more like Jesus.
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I know I need accountability and people I can confess my struggles to. I need advice, encouragement, and sharpening. Please help me take the necessary steps toward this. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
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