A few weeks ago, the headline in the Bakersfield Californian announced the shooting death by local law enforcement officers of David œDeacon Turner. He was 53 years old and an ex-pro football player.

Turner was a graduate of Shafter High School and Bakersfield College before transferring and starring at San Diego State University. A terrific running back, he played three years for the Cincinnati Bengals.

Three years is not a long career and I do not know why it wasnt longer. Injury? Not talented enough? bad luck?? That is the nature of careers for pro athletes. Even those who manage double digit careers have a long time to live after their career in sports.

It seems that the negotiations between the NFL owners and players are about to come to an end. One of the items on the players agenda is more money to support former players. I think that this issue is an important one to address. I also think that more money is not a solution by itself. In fact, it perpetuates the real problem.

As is true with people that are blessed with special talents in any field, athletes have grown up in a society that has nurtured that talent. Great athletes have worked hard on their talent. They have been committed to their sport. I am not so sure (strike that); I am sure that in many cases they have not been prepared to play the most important game”the rest of their lives. And, that they are solely responsible for how their lives turn out.

Parents, coaches and communities have organized their lives in a way as to remove all roadblocks from their path to athletic success. We are doing the same thing with non-athletes as well.

It is not the content of their lives that concerns me but the context. They live in a context of others figuring out their lives. There seems to be a great deal of energy put into smoothing out the path they are on rather than providing the training to deal with whatever bumps and chuck-holes that appear on their path.

No matter what a parent or coach might do, the athlete will find a personal bump in their road. You know, my favorite bumper sticker, œShit Happens? Have any of you just cruised through your life, really?

Life is simple. Take responsibility for EVERYTHING in your life. Responsibility is not blame. Responsibility is acknowledging what happened, happened. Then, asking yourself œwhat did I learn? The last step is œgiven what I learned, what action am I willing to take? If there is no action to take, move on. Simple, huh? Did I mention that it is not easy?

Coaches have a great vehicle called their sport to provide training in responsibility; responsibility for themselves, their teammates, their performance and their lives. Everyone has a role to play. Define it, expand it and then ask for more. And, remember, there are always consequences for lack of responsibility.

Get your copy of Coach Todds latest book, œThe Art of Losing on-line at lulu.com or Vervante.com. It will support every area of responsibility in your life.