When Tragedy Strikes the NFL

One of the most-highly anticipated games of the NFL season took an abrupt and tragic turn on Monday night. 

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest after tackling Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tee Higgins midway through the 1st quarter — leaving players despondent on the field and the collective sports world shaken to its core.

Within moments, it was clear the situation was grave as medical personnel raced to get to Hamlin, an ambulance making its way onto the field. 

Only one man had the authority to make the decision of whether the game should continue, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

The choice wasn’t really all that difficult. Football wasn't important; only Hamlin's health was. 

As the leader of a multi-billion dollar league, Goodell is faced with challenging decisions each day, and his guiding principle centers around "protecting the NFL shield." 

As leaders, we certainly all need to have a guiding belief when faced with tough decisions. But we also need something stronger. 

Is there a best way to make a tough decision with immense pressure in the heat of a moment without all of the information available? No, but here are five steps that may offer us more clarity.  

1. A leader must look beyond the moment. Don't satisfy today by jeopardizing tomorrow.

2. Combine your heart with your head in all decisions. Decisions involve people, which requires more than a clinical choice. Emotions are part of the equation. Neither can function separately.

3. Weigh the cost of failure to the organization, the team and yourself.

4. Respect those around you and how the decision will impact their lives — positively and negatively.

5. Believe in what you know, not what you assume to be true.

These steps will not guarantee a great decision every time. They will, however, help our decision-making process and force an in-depth examination of the right areas of concern. 

Let us all pray for Damar Hamlin.