Mike Ditka, former coach of the Chicago Bears, is one of American football’s living legends. Throughout his career, both as player and coach, Ditka demonstrated great physical toughness. Once, when the Bears were losing a game at half-time, Ditka went all-out to inspire his team to do better — play tougher. Standing before his men in the locker room, he reached his right hand down into a bucket. He then removed the hand with a snapping turtle clamped tightly to it. With his face registering severe pain and the snapping turtle hanging onto his bleeding hand, Ditka lectured his astonished men on their need to play tougher in the pursuit of victory. Finally, holding his wounded hand up high, he said, “Any one of you can do the same thing if you are really as determined as I am. Are there any volunteers?” Whereupon, William Perry, the 350-pound defensive lineman, nicknamed the “Refrigerator,” spoke up. “I’ll do it coach,” he said. Ditka praised him for…
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