Anger Management & Student Athletes – MSU QB Garrett Shrader & EMU QB Mike Glass III
Jamal T. Jackson, MSW
December 27, 2019
Yesterday multiple media outlets reported on two quarterbacks who seem to have let their anger get the best of them. One quarterback, Garrett Shrader, from Mississippi State suffered injuries to an orbital bone due to a fight with a teammate, and has most likely ended his participation in Mississippi State’s Music City Bowl game. The other quarterback, Mike Glass III from Eastern Michigan, was ejected and missed arguably the most important last few seconds of Eastern Michigan’s fourth quarter, 2019 Quick Lane Bowl appearance, in which they lost. I had the opportunity to watch Mike Glass III’s game and was impressed with his stats accumulating 300 yards passing with two touchdowns and 83 yards rushing with one touchdown.
After doing a little research I learned that Garrett Shrader is a freshman and Mike Glass III is a senior at their respective schools and it made me wonder about a few things. To start as a freshman student athlete on a Southeastern Conference football team is quite the accomplishment. However, how does Shrader’s conflict impact the team dynamics going forward? In the case of Mike Glass III, as the leader of that team, I wonder how he will address his behavior with his teammates. In my opinion, answers will be determined in time, by the coaches, teams, Garrett Shrader and Mike Glass III, as well as in what supports the universities have in place for their coaches, athletic staff and student athletes. Overall, and probably the most important questions are, how did Garrett Shrader and Mike Glass III’s get to such high emotional levels, and for future student athletes, what would be a go to tip in order to remain calm during conflict with others, as well as in competitive, intense environments, like the football field or basketball court? Below I have listed two strategies that can aide future coaches, student-athletes and all other student athlete stakeholders in how to be proactive when confronted with the challenge of anger in sports.
1. It’s important for student athletes to reflect on how their brains work in order to fully understand their behavior. Video & Link on brain functioning (Good decisions vs. Bad decisions) Coming Soon!!!
2. Practice Deep Breathing Exercises – The only way this works is by truly being committed to utilizing deep breathing before game time by practicing and during game time, when feeling intense emotions. One method of deep breathing is called The Square Breathing Technique, which can help shift energy and help student athletes connect with their body, supporting athletic performance. This technique can be simplistic and take minimal time to complete, once practiced. The Square Breathing Technique can be done while trotting back to the huddle after a play or walking to the bench during a timeout. In order to complete this exercise…
HOW TO…
- In practicing this technique it is important to find somewhere to sit comfortably and quietly.
- Prepare yourself to draw a square with your index finger utilizing the following directions.
- Point your index finger in front of you & draw a line up while at the same time inhaling through your nose (stop at the count of 4)
- While holding your breath draw a line across your body with your index finger (stop after using a slow count of 4)
- Draw a line down with your index finger, while gently exhaling your breath through your mouth (using a slow count of 4)
- While holding your breath, draw a line across your body with your index finger to the count of 4.
- Repeat 1-3 times or as needed
It is normal for student athletes to experience elevated emotional states during competition. However, student athletes who react on emotions, like Garrett Shrader and Mike Glass III may benefit from utilizing square breathing or other strategies supporting emotional balance. Strategies supporting emotional balance can create a positive perception that student athletes are able to manage their emotions and handle conflict appropriately.