All-Ireland winning half-forward Conor Meyler has described GAA as more than just a community and individual awards as just a bonus.
Speaking on Tuesday's OTB AM, Meyler compared winning mentalities between Tyrone and Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls.
Not Sustainable
Meyler was voted the PwC GAA/GPA Player of the Month for September and spoke about the importance of team morale.
"It was never about the search for individual accolades," admits the half-forward.
Comparing the mindset between GAA players and NBA superstars such as Michael Jordan, Meyler believes compassion comes before conflict.
"There's no comparison between the GAA and basketball. It's not sustainable in a team sport of 30 players.
At the time of the infamous The Last Dance docuseries release, Meyler wrote on his LinkedIn, "don't be like Mike" as a GAA player. Explaining his reasoning behind the post, Meyler described how compassion and caring are key factors in being a good player.
"It's important to be a good person as well as a good footballer. He (Jordan) was so intense on the court that he got a lot wrong off it. I think when you try to emulate people like that, there is no comparison, really. For longevity in the GAA, you have to be a good person.
"To be the alpha-male, to demand the ball all the time. I just don't think it works in the GAA. It was great to see the mindset of an elite athlete, but you also see the dark traits."
More Than A Community
Meyler described the GAA as more than just a community and explained why this makes the sport unique.
"GAA is more than just a community. Its towns, its villages, and its families. There is more to it. I think being a good person in the GAA community is as important as playing in it."
Meyler will look to take this mentality into next season as he and Tyrone attempt to retain the All-Ireland title.
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