The above is a direct quote from three year old Maddy Hacker I’m told. Apparently when asked by her teacher "How are you today, Maddy?" Her answer was succinct, "I’m mad and I’m going to be mad all day." Out of the mouth of babes comes this truism. Well I feel like Maddy did on that particular day, I’m mad too and I’m gonna be mad for awhile because our pick for the Heisman trophy, Colt McCoy didn’t win Saturday night.
I can’t say Colt was robbed because in my opinion not only were the 4 other guys good guys in every way but they were exceptional in their abilities as football players. Of course most Texans had a sentimental favorite in the young man from an almost obscure Texas town, Tuscola, Texas whom fans had every reason to believe would win this coveted trophy, but in the end he didn’t get it. Trying to find a reason that is good enough for me to understand why Colt didn’t win, I feel that the young man from Alabama who did win, needed it to help him through a rough time he was facing in his family, plus he is apparently a great player.
Colt McCoy is from everything I hear a leader as well as an exceptional player. His team mates listen to him and respect him so not winning one more trophy takes nothing away from McCoy, he has a room full of trophies anyway and I am thinking his thoughts about his loss are nothing more than God’s will.
I haven’t been a football fan very long but for some reason this year was my year to be glued to the TV when Texas was playing. I am sure it is because the two players I have really enjoyed watching are Texas boys, Colt McCoy from Tuscola and the other one, Jordan Shipley is from Burnet just up the road from us here. I was in Peete’s Mesquite BBQ yesterday and got into a conversation with the owner about the nail biting game last week between UT and Nebraska.
This man told me that he attends the same church as Jordan Shipley and his family and that he heard that about 5 or 6 of the players at UT had in his words "Come to know the Lord" because of their association with Shipley and McCoy. That says volumes about these two guys. I told the man that I heard that Shipley was not intending to try to play pro ball and he told me the opposite, that Shipley said he would like to play for the Cowboys. I also heard that when the kicker who ultimately kicked the winning points last week in the game was waiting to kick and the other team called a time out to "ice the kicker," Shipley ran over and encouraged him with Bible chapter and verse to calm him.
I was concerned that Jordan Shipley didn’t win some awards because in my opinion he was major in making Colt McCoy look good as he snatched almost every ball that Colt threw and did some big time gains and scores but Pat assures me that he has a shelf full of trophies and awards as well, just not a Heisman bid.
I have no fear that Colt McCoy will fall from grace and the pedestal that we the sports loving fans have heisted him to because he is no Tiger Woods. He is a man of honor and morals. Entitlement is not a word that McCoy knows, he is blessed with ability but he has humility without limits. What a wonderful coach this young man would be should he choose that route instead of trying to continue as a player but only time will tell which way he will go.
Honors have followed McCoy his entire life but he has earned each one on the ladder to success rung by rung, bruise by bruise, playing hurt and sick and never quitting.
I’m sure he is role model material to many young kids who would aspire to the greatness of The Real McCoy. Last night watching the guys as they heard the announcement that Mark Ingram was the Heisman trophy winner I thought of the motto of the Wide World of Sports back in 1974, " In the thrill of victory or the agony of defeat", but I saw no agony on McCoy’s face, only acceptance and of course there was the thrill of victory for Ingram and a whole lot of humility and thankfulness.
We have not seen the last of Colt McCoy and I guess I have at long last become a fan of Texas football, especially University of Texas football. The eyes of the country as well as the Eyes of Texas will be on the University of Texas in January when the big game against Alabama is played for the championship and I hope this last game for Mc Coy will be unforgettable for him and for us. Go UT...Hook ‘Em Horns!




