It Is Not A Simple Toss of The Coin
The coin toss is a special moment in sport. We have gone from the late 1800's tradition of the Captains flipping the coin to the Official's tossing it into the air. We have gone from a coin toss 30 minutes prior to kickoff down to three minutes prior to the game. From calling heads or tails in the air to calling 'it' prior to the toss, with the back judge and field judge listening to make sure there are no questionable practices of conduct in the selection... like, " Hey Ref, I mean't heads not tails."
What is assured, is that those selected for their qualities approach one another in the center of the arena. These Captains are the teams carefully selected leaders. It is an important moment prior to the ensuing contest. All size up the other and try to judge the opponents will. It is far more than a ceremonious flip of the coin.
We want our leaders that have been selected to represent us and what we are about. A head or tail is a 'win' 'win' for both teams as the coin is tossed in the air...all anyone wants to know is... "Who gets the ball".
We want our leaders to have such special qualities that when the coin is airborne all feel they know the outcome of the game before the coin touches the ground.
André Masséna, Duke of Rivoli, Prince of Essling was a French military commander during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. Masséna was regarded by Napoleon as his greatest general.
Napoleon was asked about Masséna as Masséna's reputation proceeded him. Napoleons discription of the man was this:
"There are men who rise refreshed on hearing a threat; men to whom a crisis which intimidates and paralyzes the majority, — comes graceful and beloved as a bride."
Napoleon continued in his description of André, "that he was not himself until the battle began to go against him; then, when the dead began to fall in ranks around him, awoke his powers of combination and he put on terror and victory as a robe."
Think about it, he put on Terror and Victory and wore it as a Robe! Get Strong
