Arguably every leader needs a get-back coach: a person who quietly reins them in when enthusiasm threatens to push them to dangerous places. If you are a manager, you may not even realize that someone is doing this work for you. If you are your organization’s get-back coach, you are probably all too conscious of it.

“He’s good at pretty much everything else in life, but the one thing I would say Sean McVay is not good at his situational awareness of the actual sideline in-game,” Rath said. During games he simply does that work for McVay, following him around and gently nudging him out of the path of referees and running backs like a khaki-clad dance partner.

McVay acknowledged that Rath’s role is “one of those thankless jobs that . . . only get recognized if you’re not getting it done,” something his colleague is well aware of.

“He’s never told me thank you. I stand by him all game and prevent penalties,” Rath said with mock indignation in the video. “You’re welcome, Sean.”

It may be a more vital role than either of them realize. Rath had to stay behind in Los Angeles for medical reasons when the Rams traveled to Atlanta for Super Bowl LIII and wasn’t behind McVay for the big game. McVay didn’t wander anywhere illegally, but the Rams lost to the New England Patriots, 3-13.

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