Would You Give Up $150,000?

Would You Give Up $150,000?

In The Soul of a Team, Tony Dungy and I wrote about one of the essential elements of a great team: being selfless. It’s about putting the needs of the group ahead of our own, even when the personal cost feels significant.

One story from Tony’s time with the Indianapolis Colts illustrates this perfectly. Wide receiver Reggie Wayne had a clause in his contract during the 2004 season that would’ve earned him a $150,000 bonus if he reached a certain number of receptions. Going into the final game of the regular season, he was just three catches away.

Tony had already decided to rest key players before the playoffs. Unaware of Reggie’s situation, he didn’t realize Wayne was on the brink of a substantial bonus. And Reggie never said a word.

The Colts won, Reggie missed the bonus, and Tony only learned afterward what had been at stake. When he asked about it, Reggie shrugged it off telling Tony not to worry about it, that he only cared what happened in the playoffs.

The very next week, in the first playoff game against Denver, Reggie set a Colts record with 10 catches for 221 yards. His focus on the team rather than himself helped set the tone for their playoff push.

Though the Colts didn’t ultimately win that year, Reggie’s attitude left an impression. He showed what it means to sacrifice personal gain for the sake of the team’s success.

It’s a reminder for all of us: true impact comes when we value the bigger picture over our individual accolades. Teams built on selflessness don’t just perform better—they leave a legacy.