Mgmt 215 - Gerry's Decision

MGMT215

Gerry’s Decision

Football is a rough sport to begin with, so it’s important to look out for your teammates and to know that they’re looking out for you. As team captain it was one of Gerry’s responsibility to make sure that his team was doing their jobs, therefore it was his job to address the fact that Ray had purposefully ignored his job to block for Rev. As a result, Rev sustained an injury, which meant it was Gerry’s job to make things right. Gerry had to acknowledging that there is a problem and that he had to make a decision. He had two decisions to make; Tell Coach Boone what happened and decide the best course of action regarding how to deal with Ray.

Gerry knew that the problem with Ray was that he didn’t like the fact that the school had integrated, and the fact that he had to play alongside blacks. He seemed to go out of his way to avoid his colored team mates and this caused issues early on in the movie. He refused to block for Rev from the beginning and because he was so spiteful Rev walked away from a game with a broken wrist. Gerry saw Ray move out of the way when the other team charged Rev. He had told Ray to block for Rev before and even though they were close friends this didn’t seem to matter when it came to respecting his team captain.

Gerry was now faced with a decision warn Ray again or kick him off the team. Gerry knew that Coach Boone had a policy against teammates being kicked off the team, but he also knew that Ray wouldn’t block for his colored teammates like he was supposed to. Gerry had a couple alternatives, but really Gerry had one choice, talk to Coach Boone, and have Ray kicked off the team. It wasn’t an easy decision because he knew this choice would mean he’d lose a close friend, but he couldn’t risk another teammate getting hurt just because he was another color.

Gerry pulled Coach Boone to the side and explained his decision, Coach Boone’s only response was to ask if Gerry knew his policy and that if that was his decision to be sure he stood by it. Gerry stood outside the locker room doors and waited until Ray walked out. He pulled him to the side and told him he was off the team. Ray was upset and stormed out. You can see the look of disappointment on Gerry’s face but he knew he had made the right decision.

Gerry had to recognize the issues and had to take steps necessary