Hey Now!
Have you ever seen an athlete’s eyes light up with newfound confidence? That’s when I know they’ve truly found their heart on the field. It’s not about the pressure to perform or meeting others’ expectations. It’s about something far more powerful: the conscious choice to ignite our inner fire.
Throughout my coaching career, I’ve seen countless transformations as players learn to tap into this fundamental truth. Playing with heart isn’t some special gift that only a few people have. It’s a skill that lies within each and every one of us, waiting to be awakened by a simple yet powerful decision: to show up fully, not because we have to, but because we choose to.
This story is about that choice. It’s about the moment when an athlete stops playing from fear or obligation and starts playing from a place of passionate and purpose. Whether you’re stepping onto a field, into a classroom, or facing life’s daily challenges, you’ll discover how to access and sustain that powerful inner drive that turns ordinary effort into extraordinary performance.
Go Jackets,
Brad Yates, Georgia Tech ’65
The Heart of a Champion
When I think of the phrase "Play with Heart," one name immediately comes to mind: #55, Bobby Caldwell. Bobby was the starting center and right side linebacker at Georgia Tech in 1962, and his story embodies the essence of playing with true heart and determination.
Bobby, from Columbus, Mississippi, was more than just a player - he was poetry in motion on the field. His ability to cover ground like a hawk and deliver thunderous tackles from low to high made him a coach’s favorite. After every successful play, you’d hear their enthusiastic calls: “That a’boy, Bobby Caldwell!” His body told stories after each game, angry welts marking every sacrifice he’d made for the team, yet pain never seemed to slow him down.
When we were roommates on road trips, I learned some really cool lessons about playing with heart. One night, while I was doing my pre-bed push-ups (we used to call them ‘modern weight training’), Bobby asked me, ‘Why you doing that, yankee?’ This simple question led to a really deep conversation about strength, pressure, and motivation. It totally changed how I thought about what it means to play with heart.
I told Bobby that I just wanted to feel strong and play like he did. Through our talks, he showed me how his intense style of play came from a place of expectation and responsibility - something I hadn’t really experienced before. I played without any pressure, just my mom’s nickname ‘Brud’ to toughen me up. This contrast taught me that true greatness comes from choosing to bring passion to everything you do, no matter what.
Resilience isn’t just about bouncing back from setbacks. It’s about learning to love pressure and turn it into an ally. I’ve seen athletes struggle with this transformation, just like Bobby did. The key is to learn to deal with negative emotions by taking deep breaths, finding strength in discipline, and opening your heart to the passion that drives you forward.
Think of resilience as an opportunity to either shrink or expand. The choice is yours - how you breathe through these moments.
The technique I’ve developed over the years combines the wisdom of Bobby’s natural instincts with structured practice. Imagine standing tall, shoulders back, hands open to the sky. This isn’t just a posture, it’s a declaration to yourself and the world that you’re ready to face whatever comes your way. As you breathe deeply into your heart center, you’re not just taking in air; you’re drawing in strength, courage, and clarity.
I’ve witnessed this incredible transformation countless times in my athletes. Take Sarah, a volleyball player who used to get overwhelmed under pressure. Through practicing heart-centered breathing, she learned to turn those tense moments into opportunities for growth. Before each serve, she’d take a deep breath, filling her lungs and her entire being with purpose.
Understanding Your Athletes: The Thinker and The Feeler
In my years of coaching, I’ve noticed two different ways athletes handle pressure. I see Bobby in many of our ‘Feelers’ - athletes who experience everything intensely, their hearts so open that emotions can sometimes get the best of their performance. These players need help channeling their passionate nature into focused action.
Then there are the ‘Thinkers,’ like my younger self doing push-ups alone at night, analyzing every aspect of performance. These athletes need help breaking free from the paralysis of overthinking and finding their way back to the natural flow of the game.
The Recovery Sequence: A Path Back to Center
The beauty of this approach is its simplicity. When a player faces a setback, whether it’s a missed shot, a fumbled ball, or a moment of doubt, they have a clear path back to their center. The sequence starts with a complete stop, followed by one decisive breath. This isn’t just any breath; it’s a conscious choice to reset and return to the heart of their performance.
Imagine a back row volleyball player who just shanked a ball. Instead of spiraling into frustration, they immediately take that powerful breath, hold it briefly, and release it along with their disappointment. The phrase ‘right back’ becomes their anchor, connecting them to the feeling of their best passes, the sensation of perfect form.
Building a Culture of Heart
Achieving success in this approach isn’t about being flawless; it’s about consistently practicing these principles. Just like Bobby didn’t become a legendary player overnight, our athletes develop their resilience through daily commitment to these values. We create an environment where playing with heart isn’t just encouraged - it’s lived, breathed, and celebrated.
The goal isn’t just better performance; it’s the development of athletes who understand that true strength comes from the ability to stay open-hearted under pressure. When a player can transform from someone who fears pressure to someone who embraces it, I know that the legacy of playing with heart lives on.
This journey from fear to freedom, from pressure to power, is available to every athlete. It starts with a single breath taken with an open heart and grows through dedicated practice into a way of being that goes beyond sports and enriches life itself.
“In the end, champions aren’t made in moments of triumph. They’re forged in that space where fear meets courage, and we choose – again and again – to play with our whole hearts open. That’s where greatness lives. That’s where legends begin.”
A Tribute to Bobby Caldwell: Brotherhood and Team Spirit
Bobby Caldwell was an exceptional player who created magic on the field. Our 7-6 victory over top-ranked Alabama on Grant Field exemplified our team's spirit. Playing on Big Blue (the second team behind Big Steam, Rufus Guthrie) forged bonds of togetherness that continue to inspire me.
Bobby at a Georgia Tech party in Florida in 1992
Robert Stewart "Bobby" Caldwell, Jr., born September 30, 2022 in Columbus, MS, age 80, died peacefully on Sunday, February 13, 2022, at his home in Columbus.
During our final conversation weeks before his passing, Bobby shared his struggle with debilitating back surgery complications that left him unable to walk to his mailbox. I'm grateful my intuition prompted that call, allowing me to express my deep appreciation for his impact on my life.
That conversation reaffirmed the power of our relationship and the special bonds we share with those still here to cherish our memories together.
Bobby, thank you for playing with heart and reminding me how fortunate we are to relive these experiences of teamwork and lifelong friendship.
Special thanks to Copey, Tom, Bill, Chick, and all wives, teammates, friends and family who form our enduring fellowship. To those who gather and keep our bond strong – you preserve these precious memories.
With gratitude, Brad