Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur Using Achilles Injury to Motivate Team to Overcome Adversity
By Charles Nason
Green Bay Packers newly hired head coach Matt LaFleur tore his achilles last week during a basketball game. Now, he's turning that injury into motivation for his team as they take part in OTAs.
"We're all going to face a little bit of adversity," LaFleur told his team using his own injury as an example. He will coach from a golf cart for the remainder of OTAs and minicamp, and hopes to be back on his own two feet in time for the preseason.
Packers coach Matt LaFleur uses his own injury to talk about overcoming adversity https://t.co/LB6G3TF94k
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) June 2, 2019
LaFleur is set to have surgery on his achilles on Sunday. He says he knew immediately that the injury was significant. "I thought somebody hit me in the leg. I looked around and nobody's by me. It's just one of those deals. We'll rebound. We'll be back," Lafleur said according to NBC Sports' Darin Gantt.
Despite having not coached his first NFL game yet, it seems as though LaFleur is having no trouble leading or motivating his group.
#Packers HC Matt LaFleur was in good enough shape to walk around Fox Cities Stadium pregame and throw out the first pitch before today's Green & Gold Charity Softball Game. He was wearing a protective boot and limping after tearing his Achilles. pic.twitter.com/BWTDXXq5Z3
— Kelly Price (@thekellyprice) June 1, 2019
Players like wide receiver Davante Adams have spoken out that they believe the 39-year-old coach's injury hasn't slowed him down.
"He was still rolling up next to me and coaching up and doing the same things. I don’t think it’s really going to stop him too much from the way he kind of does things," Adams said.
LaFleur has already found unique ways to motivate his team, even with a serious injury plaguing him, earning their respect in the process.