No Solo Acts in the End Zone

Kevin McElroy
Editor, Tune Up Magazine

We Win as a Team, We Lose as a Team: What Bands and Football Teams Get Right About Teamwork

With the Super Bowl coming up and my Philadelphia Eagles making it to the big game, I couldn’t help but think about the teamwork it takes to get to that level. The best teams in the NFL don’t just rely on one superstar—they succeed because a group of people buy into a shared goal and put in the work to make it happen. And honestly, that’s the same thing that makes a great band work.

If you’re a bandleader who’s managed to put together a group of musicians willing to rehearse, perform, and dedicate themselves to your vision—congratulations, you’ve already won. You’ve done something a lot of people can’t.

I know this because I’ve spent years trying to build projects like an online radio station and this magazine, and the hardest part isn’t the work itself—it’s finding people willing to do the work with you. People love to say they want to be involved in something cool, but when it comes time to actually show up, put in the effort, and commit, that’s a whole different story.

“Great things in business are never done by one person; they’re done by a team of people.” – Steve Jobs

Building a Team Ain’t Easy

It’s not all “get your kumbay-ya-yas out on Main Street.” Starting a band, running a business, or even putting together a rec football team all have the same challenge: finding people who actually do the thing, not just talk about doing it. I’ve found that if people aren’t doing it in the present, they won’t do it in the future.

The thing about starting a band is you’re at least pulling from a pool of people who are already playing. You’re not trying to convince someone to be a musician—you’re just seeing if they can work with your vision and if they’re willing to put in the time.

But even then, it’s not easy. Personalities clash, egos get in the way, and some people just aren’t cut out for the grind. That’s why when you do find people who show up, put in the work, and stick with it—you’re really lucky.

And let’s be real—you can’t do it alone. You’re not Bugs Bunny playing every position on the baseball field. If you want to build something great, you need a team.

“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” – Henry Ford

Football and Bands: Not So Different

Think about a football team. Sure, the quarterback gets all the attention, but without a solid offensive line, they’re getting sacked all game. And yeah, a band might have a frontman, but without a drummer and a bassist holding down the groove, it’s just noise.

As my old coach used to say: “We win as a team, we lose as a team.” That’s the truth.

Football teaches you that not every role is glamorous, but every role matters. The kicker might only take the field for a few seconds, but they can decide a game. The same goes for a band—maybe the bassist isn’t getting all the attention, but take them out, and suddenly the whole thing feels empty.

And let’s not forget, in both football and music, it’s not just about talent—it’s about showing up. Every NFL team is full of insanely talented athletes, but only the ones who put in the work, buy into the system, and trust their teammates make it to the Super Bowl. Same with bands—you can find great players, but if they don’t want to rehearse or commit, it’s not going anywhere.

Even Legends Know It’s a Team Effort

You don’t have to take my word for it—just look at some of the greatest bands of all time.

When Bruce Springsteen was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist, he still brought up the E Street Band and made sure everyone knew he couldn’t have done it without them. That’s a guy who gets it.

It’s not just the guy in the spotlight that makes it work. It’s the whole damn team.

Start at the 9:50 min. mark

“Rock and roll, it’s a band thing.” — Steven Van Zandt

What We Can Learn from This

The teamwork that makes bands and football teams work is something a lot of other ventures could learn from. Whether you’re trying to run a business, put together an event, or build anything bigger than yourself, you need a solid crew behind you.

Here’s what successful bands and teams do right:

• They have a clear leader. Someone has to set the vision and direction.
• They write stuff down. Whether it’s a setlist, a playbook, or a to-do list, keeping things organized helps everyone stay on the same page.
• They commit. Showing up is half the battle. Doing the work is the other half.
• They know that not every job is glamorous, but every job is important.

The people who talk about doing stuff but never actually do it? They never get anywhere. The ones who put in the work—whether it’s on a stage or a football field—are the ones who succeed.

“Action is the foundational key to all success.” – Pablo Picasso

Final Thoughts

So if you’re in a band and you’ve found people who are willing to work with you, appreciate them. You’ve done something most people can’t.

If you’re a bandleader, coach, business owner, or just someone trying to make something happen, remember: you can’t do it all alone. Find the right team, put in the work, and remember—it’s not about one person.

To borrow a line from John Denver, “Music does bring people together.” So does football. So does any great project built on collaboration.

Now go out there and win your own Super Bowl—on stage, on the field, or wherever you’re chasing your passion. And, last but not least…

GO BIRDS!