I didn’t make it down to Philly for this SuperBowl, but the game yielded two great examples of gentlemen athletes doing the right thing. One was Jerrick McKinnon kneeling at the One.

The other was James Bradberry, cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles, who was called for a holding penalty in the final moments of the SuperBowl that gave the Kansas City Chiefs a first down and eventually led to their game-winning field goal.

Many fans, announcers and even players were quick to blame the officials for the call, not so the players involved. Bradberry took a different approach.

In a refreshing display of honesty and sportsmanship, Bradberry admitted to holding on the play and stated that the officials made the right call. This level of accountability and honor is all too rare in professional sports, and it’s something we should all strive to emulate in our own lives. God, it’s easy to make excuses or shift blame when things don’t go our way, but that’s not what true leaders do. Honorable leaders take responsibility for their actions, admit when they make mistakes, and work to improve themselves moving forward. By doing so, they earn the trust and respect of those around them.

Bradberry’s admission is a testament to the values of integrity and sportsmanship that should be at the core of every athlete’s mindset. Yes, winning is important, but it’s how we win that truly matters. We should compete with honor and respect for our opponents, the officials, and the game itself. In the end, the Chiefs were the better team on that day, and there’s no shame in admitting that. By owning up to his mistake, Bradberry has shown that he is a true professional and a credit to his team and the league as a whole.

Congratulations to the Kansas City Chiefs on their victory, and congratulations to James Bradberry on setting an example for us all.