The Most Wonderful Time of the Year? Today is Officially Football Season!

June 3, 2021

For many Americans, today kicks off “the most wonderful time of year” – the official start of the NFL season!

Just as in every other aspect of life, the DISC personality styles play a big role on the gridiron. While anyone can play any position despite his predominant style, players are drawn to specific positions not only because of their body size and physical capabilities, but also because of their personality style. Let’s take a closer look.

Offense Vs. Defense:

Offensive linemen tend to be Supportive Doves and Conscientious Owls since their job, ultimately, is to protect the quarterback in one of two ways: either pass block for the QB so he has time to throw the ball or run block for the running back and fullback. They don’t want the spotlight. They know exactly what play is going to be called (the QB tells them) and appreciate the predictable nature of what’s about to happen. Famous offensive lineman: Dan Dierdorf, stud right tackle, St. Louis Cardinals.

Quarterbacks can be of any one of the personality styles: the dominant Eagle, interactive Parrot, supportive Dove, or conscientious Owl. A QBs style is what will determine how the game is played. An aggressive QB who goes for big plays and prefers to “run the ball” down the field will be either a dominant Eagle or interactive Parrot. A more methodical QB slows down the game. A supportive Dove or conscientious Owl, he matriculates the football down the field by steadily gaining yards. Famous quarterbacks with opposite personality styles: brothers Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts/Denver Broncos, and Eli Manning, New York Giants.

Defensive linemen, on the other hand, are a more aggressive lot. These are the killers – the first line of defense whose job it is to shed the blocks of opposing offensive linemen and tackle ball carriers, i.e., prevent opponents from scoring – and tend to be dominant Eagles or interactive Parrots. Unlike their counterparts, they want credit for that sack and the camera attention that goes along with it. In these positions, players have no idea what’s about to happen because the other team’s QB calls the play. They react to what the opposing team does and being of the Parrot/Eagle style, they are comfortable with literally thinking on their feet. Famous defensive lineman: Reggie White, defensive end, Green Bay Packers/Philadelphia Eagles.

Wide receivers tend to be interactive Parrots – the “pass catchers” who start plays by splitting off wide from team formation and running pass routes waiting for the QB to throw to them. These guys go for the big plays and are most likely the one to do a touchdown dance. Famous wide receiver: Terrell Owens, San Francisco 49ers/Philadelphia Eagles/Dallas Cowboys, et al.