Who would you declare is one of the greatest leaders of men in the history of the world?
Well, former Redskins head coach and NASCAR owner Joe Gibbs was praised for his leadership of men and his life as a father by his former driver Carl Edwards last week.
Edwards was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame and during his induction speech gave Gibbs some of the highest praise you could to an owner, a man, a father.
Incredible speech by Carl Edwards, and it is one that dispels a lot of rumors about why he retired after 2016. What a way to pay tribute to coach Joe Gibbs with his words at the end as well. pic.twitter.com/TtZBgdqyAY
— Toby Christie (@Toby_Christie) February 8, 2025
Crossing the finish line first 28 times in his career and three times in his final season of 2016, Edwards shocked the NASCAR world when he suddenly retired following the season. The Gibbs team ended with an incredible 19 wins in that 2016 season.
However, in his last race, he led with 20 laps to go when the restart did not go well for him. “This is going to sound strange. But, I’m so grateful that we didn’t win that championship. Because it gave me time to go home and think about a few things. I looked at my career; it was beyond my wildest dreams.”
Edwards said contemplating his great career, he realized it had come at a huge cost–he didn’t know his kids, and he’d suffered too many concussions. So, he planned to see Coach Gibbs.
“When I told you what I wanted to do…you jumped up from behind the desk and you said, ‘This is important for you, I got your back. I’m going to make this happen for you.’ “You didn’t have to say that, okay? You changed my family’s life and gave me permission to do something I needed to do.”
Edwards told Gibbs, “I want you to know, you are the model father. The way you had a relationship with your sons. I saw that; I tried to emulate it in our homes. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me.”
Coach Joe tragically lost both of his sons much too young. J.D. and Coy both died at the age of 49. J.D., who ran the NASCAR team for years, died in 2019 of a degenerative neurological disease. Coy died one night in his sleep in 2022.
On lap 11 of the #Daytona500 we’ll honor my son JD. You can learn more about him and watch his powerful memorial service at https://t.co/JzvaKSkcXO
Help us honor him:
Tune in to FOX at 2:30 ET &
RT this post on Lap 11;
or post your own with #DoItForJD and the website above. pic.twitter.com/3owhER9FA0— Joe Gibbs (@CoachJoeGibbs) February 16, 2019
Coy Gibbs came to Washington with Coach Joe during his second stint as Redskins head coach (2004-07). When Gibbs retired for good from the NFL, Coy also left, rejoining his father and older brother in NASCAR.
During his first term as Redskins head coach (1981-1992), Gibbs won four NFC championships and three of four Super Bowls he coached. His 1991 team remains to be considered one of the best teams in the Super Bowl era, going 14-2 and then easily defeating all three playoff teams, including the Bills, in Super Bowl XXVI.
There is only one Joe Jackson Gibbs; his accomplishments in two different professional sports are unmatched. But it’s Gibbs’ leadership that sets him apart from everyone else.