If people are to improve and the world is to become a better place it is necessary to learn from each other and develop ideas. The current problem is at least twofold. One: that generations experience constant change, which I won’t get into here. Two: that there is not a strong sense of communication. There is a disconnect between people and the rifts that we have seen happen between others and throughout history have made us focus on our own lives and be disinterested in how others may help us. But I believe everything we’re doing is a team sport.

Von Miller is a name that is helping to change that reflex that people have: to focus on the skills and abilities they have and not to ask for help from another. A linebacker for the Denver Broncos, Miller has held a “Pass Rush Summit” for the last two years. The idea is to bring players from different teams to share ideas and improve their game which will ultimately lead into more Quarterback Sacks. This is something that benefits pass-rushing in the NFL but the publicity shows that people from different teams can work together.

More important than sacks, Miller’s summit will have an effect on the game of football, which is all about timing and 4-second bursts between teams. The pass rush is one small part of a football game but it creates a domino effect that leads to a re-imagining in all aspects of the game: preparation, pre-snap, play, and review. Just by improving the level of play in 1 of 22 on the field at a time, the other 21 players will have to respond and adjust in the same kind of way. There is something special about this summit coming from Miller, it’s not something that would have the same effect if it were done by someone else or at any other time. His name, his career, and his success as a pass rusher have given him credibility that shows other players that they should not be afraid in sharing information or giving another team or player the edge in any game.

There is a general understanding, a sort of natural thought, to keep secrets from other people because you want to do anything to keep other people from getting to the top. This could be out of premature jealousy or fierce competition; either way, it limits the way players can improve and the competition of a game. In bringing together high-performance players to talk, teach, and learn from each other, Miller has taken away the idea that you have to work alone to be the best, which doesn’t make that much sense in a team sport. It’s starting to have an effect in other team sports, where Lebron James, Kawhi Leonard, and Kevin Durant of the NBA were recently practicing together, with a group of their own.

This type of interaction has happened before but not in the same way or to the same effect. Maybe it’s just the timing or the powerful public persona that Von Miller has, either way, his Pass Rush Summit is important to the original idea of competition.

To be the best you have to beat the best, consistently. It can stop at one win but there is also a powerful factor in longevity and winning repeatedly. Now that I say this, I think of another instance shown on film. I’m not entirely familiar with the actual story but I know enough about the rivalry between two Formula 1 Drivers (Niki Lauda and James Hunt) who were the premise of the 2013 film directed by Ron Howard, Rush. In the movie, as I remember Lauda was shown as the bad guy and Hunt was the playful personality with a chip on his shoulder. Basically, we can compare this relationship to the most recent Super Bowl between the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles where one team has been a consistent Champion while the other played extremely well for one season. I’m not trying to take anything from these Eagles or James Hunt (Lauda is known to respect Hunt’s skill and that Wentz Magic was pretty unbelievable) but it is an element of any sport and it’s a mindset that each player, team, etc. has to consider. You have to ask questions like “Why am I playing?”, “Why do I want to win?”, “What do I want to show?” Any game or sport deserves respect from the people that play. People like Miller and Lauda understand the need for competition and how to challenge each other as a part of the game that is played. Other people want to win and prove a point. Still, they need to have talent and build the skills to do so. We can’t take anything away from Championship winners because if anything, for one season, game, race, or match they were the best and they were not beaten.

Von Miller is reminding people about the importance of communication and competition. It’s not like he’s giving away secrets. The conversations on that summit are about what works and how the game can change between players, not what corners to cut but how to be better. Each person still  has a choice in accepting or refusing to use new or different information. 

We need more summits, more interactions, more joint practices because to improve individually and together is to inherently change.