Character Isn’t Measured In 40 Times

Today’s blog is about this post regarding Texas A&M WR KC Concepcion.

I’m fully aware that the mocking of him could be somewhat of a strawman — meaning the actual number of people cruel enough to post something heartless might be small, and my algorithm could simply be feeding me outrage bait.

But I’m writing about it anyway.

Because this one is personal.

I spent much of my formative years battling my own stutter. I had a regular speech therapist in elementary school. I was terrified of public speaking well into my twenties because there were certain sounds I literally could not get out of my mouth. Even today — 25+ years into coaching, educating, and speaking for a living — I still have moments where a word simply won’t leave without a fight.

So yes, I empathize with KC. And yes, I’m grateful to see the volume of people defending him.

But here’s why this matters for TeamsOfMen.

Cruelty vs. compassion is a choice.

And that choice will stare our players down individually — but even more powerfully when they’re sitting shoulder to shoulder in a team room.

Someone in a large group of young men WILL make fun of KC. Or of another kid who stutters. Or of someone who walks differently. Or reads slowly. Or struggles to get words out.

It will happen.

And in that moment, the group will have three options:

• Co-sign it with laughter.

• Encourage it with awkward silence.

• Interrupt it in front of everyone.

That moment is a far greater test of character than finishing a conditioning test ever will be.

So I’ll ask you:

What steps are you taking — especially compared to the hours you spend designing workouts and practice plans — to prepare your guys to live up to their best selves in THAT moment?

Because we plan every rep in the weight room.

But do we plan for the rep when someone is being mocked for something they can’t control?

COACH PROMPTS

• What happens in our locker room when someone imitates a stutter?

• Do our leaders know how to interrupt mockery in real time?

• Do we rehearse responses to disrespect the same way we rehearse press break?

• If a player on our team had a speech impediment, would he feel safe in our room?

PLAYER PROMPTS

• If someone in this room made fun of KC’s stutter, what would you do?

• Is laughing the same as agreeing?

• What’s harder — finishing a conditioning test or stopping your friend mid-joke?