Athletes often need a push Posted Oct 29, 2008 Have you ever tried to motivate a football player? It's strange what works -- and what doesn't. North Carolina head football coach Butch Davis got on this subject Tuesday in his speech before 600 people at the Charlotte Touchdown Club gathering. Davis was once the Dallas Cowboys' defensive coordinator. He kept trying to get players motivated for practice, and he found something that moved the needle. It was a five-dollar bill. (Raleigh News & Observer)