Football and Lingerie

What type of business could you create combining the traditionally male dominated sport of football with women's underwear? If the image of a three hundred pound man with a helmet, shoulder pads, and cleats wearing lacy lingerie comes to mind, let me tell you about Bennie Russell.

Bennie was a member of the Alabama University football team in 1926. During physically demanding practices in the oppressive humidity of the South, he and his teammates would sweat and their skin chafed. The perspiration and irritation was exacerbated due to the heavy weight regulation wool jersey. Some would complain about this uncomfortable problem and count the days until the cool weather of fall would arrive. Bennie did not wait for the temperature to change as he saw positive possibilities despite the circumstances.

His father owned Russell Manufacturing, located in the small Alabama town of Alexander City, who manufactured ladies soft cotton undergarments. Bennie thought what if his father's company made the Alabama University woolen football jerseys out of the same durable, absorbent cotton used to make the undergarments? The team's uniforms would be lighter weight, much cooler and of course, more comfortable.

Since the central purpose of this new product was to reduce sweating, a mill worker suggested the name that has since become an American icon……the sweatshirt! So the next time you're relaxing in your favorite sweatshirt you can thank a true possibility thinker named Bennie Russell, a.k.a. the Bill Gates of sweat! In fact, your favorite sweatshirt may be a Russell Athletic.

Bennie's story can serve as inspiration for the times we are living in. If we look at our circumstances and expect the worst, likely we will experience the worst. However, people who practice possibility thinking, even in the face of adversity, accomplish their goals because they continually look for solutions and opportunities.

Theodore Levitt said it this way, "The future belongs to those who see opportunities before they become obvious."

Positively,

Roger Crawford

"Our attitude is more powerful
than our circumstances"
– Roger Crawford

Roger Crawford has helped more than 3,000 audiences turn the pessimism of "I can't" into the unstoppable power of "I can".

He knows about determination, optimism and defying the odds. Sports Illustrated calls Roger one of the most accomplished physically challenged athletes in history.

Roger's inspirational story has been featured on Larry King Live, Good Morning America, and CNBC and in publications such as USA Today, Fast Company, Men's Fitness.