A former varsity lacrosse player at Cornell who now makes a living cheering to sports teams and corporations about the attributes of positive living, Gordon has written three books about effective teams, optimism in groups and how to create and channel healthy energy. Gordon worked with the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Atlanta Falcons of the NFL; he spoke to the Falcons last season, before which their head coach, Bobby Petrino, abruptly quit and the team's former quarterback, Michael Vick, was convicted on dogfighting charges.

The Falcons went 11-5 and made the playoffs.