Vince Lombardi's "What It Takes To Be Number One"

At the height of his career he was not only on top of his game but he made sure the packers were an unstoppable juggernaut in the NFL. If anyone were to ever know what it really took to be number one at anything, it would have to be Coach Vince Lombardi. In his speech “What It Takes to be Number One,” he is able to both inspire and motivate his listeners through his diction, thesis, and framework.

Vince Lombardi wasn’t a man that would boast his superiority intellectually or physically, in fact, Lombardi was a humble man. So in Lombardi’s speech he uses diction that any other average Joe of that time would use. Lombardi’s sentence structure isn’t complex and his speech in some ways has a strict, advising tone. In effect, listeners would take his advice to heart because he was seen as an icon. Yet his firm voice and blunt explanation manage to drive home the message that giving up is never an option. Lombardi’s use of colloquial language, instead of damaging his essay, makes it that much more effective in inspiring and motivating.

Lombardi’s thesis is a large part of his speech that reoccurs through the entire speech. His thesis of not giving up when all odds are against you and giving all you have and laying it on the line is not something that he discreetly hides in his speech. Lombardi constantly throws this thesis in the audiences face and makes sure that his thesis is loud and clear to all who are listening. As a result his reoccurring thesis does an effective job of providing motivation and inspiration because, like all great speakers, he has ensured that when his audience is finished listening, they will come away with one indefinite part of his speech. This part of the speech, as a result, must act as both a summary and a mantra for the listeners and Lombardi was able to summarize his speech into his thesis.

Framework was a critical element in Lombardi’s essay because like so many other things in Lombardi’s life, there needed to be a certain way of doing things. One thing Lombardi was famed for during his career was enforcing “Lombardi Time” on his players during pre and post season. Working on Lombardi time meant you always had to be 15 minutes early and not a second later. As a result he made those around him compulsive punctuals, which is reflected in his speech. Everything he says is the right thing to say at the right time. No earlier, no later. This framework, in effect, makes his speech effective and right on key as to what the listener wants to hear.

Lombardi wasn’t always considered a man of words, but when he did speak he made sure he not only got his message across, but he made sure it was done in simple words and efficiently. Lombardi was “the man with a plan” as many would say, and would always be sure to execute that plan perfectly. Lombardi’s game was football, he was good at it all his life and, as a coach, brought the Green Bay Packers a legacy that still lives on today. Lombardi was a man who could blend all the ideals he preached to his team, into everyday life and as a result, many former players who were coached by Lombardi, felt that they became better men after leaving the Packers. Lombardi was and still is a shining star in Green Bay but it is only because he knew what it took to be number one.

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Vince Lombardi's "What It Takes To Be Number One" Analysis

By Esmeralda Guerrero & Samantha Garrison