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Noted NFL coach brings positive message to 'Men of TFS Middle School Breakfast of Champions’ event

On a misty September morning, a bunch of great guys showed up for the first-ever 'Men of TFS Middle School Breakfast of Champions.'

National Football League coach and leadership mentor Chan Gailey of Clarkesville delivered a positive message on Sept. 10. 

According to seventh-grade teacher Nancy Almoyan, Gailey did an incredible job sharing a few of his life lessons with the group of students, accompanied by fathers, grandfathers, uncles, brothers or special friends. 

A few of his words of wisdom include: 

1. Don't quit. Stick with it. Don't give up. Gailey related a story about his childhood when he didn't like participating in scouting at first. His father reminded him that he had made a commitment for that year in scouts, and he was going to stick it out. He eventually became a committed boy scout, ultimately earning the elite rank of Eagle Scout. 

2. If I don't, he won't. In other words, lead by example. He compared this to his coaching and his life. He said he couldn't expect his team to be prepared if he wasn't prepared. He couldn’t expect his team to be enthusiastic if he wasn't. 

3. If it's important to you, you'll do it. If it's not, you'll find an excuse. Gailey used an example of a student being asked to bring boxes inside. They might say they couldn't do it because the boxes were too heavy or it was raining. A committed person would find a way to do it with a hand truck, umbrella, or whatever was needed to get the job done. 

"We are grateful to Coach Gailey for investing his time into the lives of the TFS men and young men," Almoyan added. 

Gailey's career in the NFL includes coaching affiliations with the Denver Broncos, the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Dallas Cowboys, the Miami Dolphins, the Kansas City Chiefs, the Buffalo Bills and most recently the New York Jets, with a return to the Dolphins in 2020. Before moving to the NFL, he was a college coach at Troy University, Samford University, the U.S. Air Force Academy and then later as the head coach for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. 

Gailey is currently retired and enjoys playing golf, restoring old homes, woodworking and spending time with his many grandchildren. 

While growing up, in addition to his involvement in scouts, he played basketball, baseball, golf and football. He attended the University of Florida, where he played quarterback and graduated with a degree in Physical Education.