The New York Jets fined Aaron Rodgers $50,861 for an “unexcused” absence at two mandatory off-season practices. Rodgers missed the practices for a trip to Egypt. He states the trip was scheduled in advance of the Jets posting their off-season calendar. At the time Rodgers missed the practices head coach, Robert Salah, addressed the media about the absences.
Almost always the quarterback is viewed as the leader of a football team inside and outside the locker room; especially when the quarterback is a former MVP and one of the most senior players in the NFL.
Robert Salah was attacked by much of the media for holding his quarterback accountable, but the organization was right in keeping its star quarterback responsible for his actions.
Accountability is a leader’s most important tool in maintaining a standard and order within their organization. A leader who keeps all their subordinates accountable, regardless of ability, when they don’t meet the standard ensures no resentment or sense of favoritism within their formation. It also reinforces self-discipline inside and outside the place workplace.
An organization without accountability can devolve into a toxic environment because it can create division between those doing all the right things and those who get away with doing the wrong thing. It can also lead to an undisciplined organization because no one is held responsible for their actions.
Keeping subordinates accountable is a large part of what separates America’s military from others in the world. When deployed in Afghanistan I had to work with members of the Afghan military and police. The Afghan soldiers would often say no to direct orders or say yes and then not carry out the action because they would do the same with their leaders.
I didn’t have the authority to keep them accountable and could only resort to addressing their leaders in hopes that they would address it, but my efforts were to no avail. Once the United States evacuated Afghanistan, the lack of a disciplined and accountable military and police force played a significant role in the Taliban’s efforts to quickly retake the country.
As a leader of the Jets organization, Aaron Rodgers did not hold himself accountable to his teammates, sending the message that it is acceptable to put your priorities and interests ahead of the team and organization. Also, he put himself in the position that his teammates may think that he is above them, which is troubling since he missed all but four plays due to an Achilles tear.
Robert Salah and the Jets organization have not had a great record with their execution of leadership principles but in this instance, they properly handled the situation. Saleh calling out his quarterback publicly sends a message to the rest of the players that no individual is above the team. Also, by inflicting the maximum fine, it tells the rest of the team that regardless of where you’re listed on the depth chart, breaking the team’s rules will not go unpunished.
Rodgers stated that he knew the fine was coming before it was announced to the media and that he’d already discussed the issue with his head coach. Rodgers should apologize directly to his team to start of mini-camp and bury the hatchet with his head coach. As the leader on the field on offense, Rodgers is an extension of Salah and they must work in lockstep on and off the field.
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