I played college basketball under the astute leadership of the legendary coach, Dean Smith. In my four years playing for him, I never heard him curse. Never. Not one single time.
I’ve talked to former players who he coached during his 36 years in the profession, and they all said the same thing. They never heard him curse. Not once. Ever.
In fact, if he ever heard any of us curse during a practice, he’d stop practice and make the entire team run.
Coach Smith always felt there was a better word to be used than a curse word. A word that showed more education. Value. Integrity. Thoughtfulness.
Perhaps Coach understood Paul’s admonition: “Let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth” (Ephesians 4:29). That’s how he lived. And what he modeled for those of us who played for him.
It’s not a popular perspective. But it’s true.
There’s always a better word than a curse word.