So, I get up on Sunday morning with an hour or so to kill before I have to get ready for Church.  I do what most the guys I know do in that circumstance - I flip on the TV and go straight to ESPN.

Coffee - check.  Highlights - check.  Caveman happy...check.

But this Sunday morning was different, because within 5 minutes I was crying like a little baby.  (PS - not the norm for a tough, muscular guy like me... LOL...) On this Sunday morning, ESPN had highlights from the 2010 NFL Hall of Fame Induction speeches.  The highlight package focused on 2 of the inductees who most agree are among the all-time best, even within the Hall of Fame - Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith.  Legends!

The package started off as a reminder why these guys were football greats, not motivational speakers.  Jerry Rice was OK from the podium, but not super smooth, reading from his printout and trying to look up as much as possible.  Still, he's Jerry Freaking Rice, so people like me don't pile on.  When YOU get 900 TDs, you get to talk smack about Jerry's speaking skills.  Until then, you just remain quiet and hope that he gets through the speech OK.

Respect the greats. They've earned the opportunity to stumble through a speech at the Hall of Fame.

Next up was Emmitt Smith.  As they go to Emmitt in the highlight package, I'm actually thinking to myself, "you know, they tried to bring Emmitt into the studio as a commentator, and he really stunk it up.  This is going to be uncomfortable for everyone involved.  Can't....Watch...."

Then Emmitt Smith proceeded to do something I least expected.  He made me cry with his eloquence and grace.  Not to mention his understanding of the world of recognition.  Watch the video below and learn, my friends (email subscribers, click through for the video...the real action starts at the 1:22 mark):

Here's what Emmitt did that blew me away.  He started the recognition by thanking the teammates you expect - fellow hall of famers, Troy Aikman and Michael Irvin, who are sitting in premium seats (Irvin with sunglasses on - naturally!).  Then, he saves what he clearly considers to be the most important "thank you" for a teammate he didn't have to thank - former fullback Daryl Johnston, who is so important in the big scheme of things that he's sitting out in general admission seats with guys sporting mullets and hats enabling easier beer drinking.

Emmitt's clearly moved by having the opportunity to thank Johnston - so much so that he's crying like a baby.  If you want to see the entire clip to see the flow - click here - it's worth it as well.

You're not crying - because you were ready for it.  Me, when I wasn't ready for that - crying like a baby.

Recognition 101 - thank the people who cleared the obstacles in front of you in some type of public way.  Do it often and make sure it's genuine.

Emmitt Smith understood that.  As a result, I'm looking at the world of work from a different perspective this week.

Thanks Emmitt...