Dear Coach Richt,
The likelihood of this letter ever appearing on your computer screen is minute. After all, I am a college sophomore with a, well, tiny blog while you are the head coach of the greatest football team in the country. My goal in writing this is to not flatter you or to somehow get my name noticed. I am simply writing to give praise where praise is due. You, CMR, deserve it.
Last August, I entered Sanford Stadium for the first time for a "freshman year kick-off". I, a new bulldog student and fan, was amazed at the sheer size and power of the stadium. Though practically empty, I immediately experienced chills when "Glory, Glory" was played and I was taught how to call the Dawgs. Then, you showed up. Amidst the screaming of over five thousand freshman, I heard you offering your best wishes to us, telling us of the great joys that we would experience in the coming years. After a short speech, I as well as several hundred others made our way down to the field to meet you. Though it was raining and your family was waiting on you, you made time to talk and take pictures with us all individually. Like I said before, I was a new UGA fan. I couldn't think of anything better to say to you than "thank you" and a quick "Go Dawgs." I left the stadium that night bragging about meeting you and proclaiming how down to earth you were. My friends and family could not believe your dedication to the students.
A few weeks into my freshman year, I started to hear more about you. I learned that you were a renowned Christian. I learned that you hold your players to a high moral standard, and that you helped to baptize several of your players a few years earlier. I learned from an article that you were the one man that all other college football coaches would want to lead their sons.
Since I have arrived on campus, I have noticed that how you carry yourself and your team with grace, even in tough times. Last year, you inspired your team to press on after the loss of Todd Gurley. This year, you are rallying your troops once again after losing Nick Chubb. Despite your no doubt impressive leadership, members of the college football fan base, especially those of the Bulldawg nation, criticize you. After two tough consecutive losses, a call for your removal has been sounded by many. These "fans" mock your laid-back coaching strategies, saying that you spend too much time on character development and less on the game. I remember a quote from you that I heard last year in response to these very claims. I remember you saying that your goal was to prepare your men for life, whether they live it on or off the field. In my opinion, you are doing just this.
As head coach, it is your duty to make decisions that will benefit the team and increase its strength and dominance. While a goal is to win games, it is more important to help your players reach their highest potential. People were irritated when you removed Gurley following his allegations last year, yet Gurley was later drafted into the NFL. People were upset when you didn't respond violently to Tennessee's force, yet we still remain a strong contender in the conference. People will be mad in the future when the Dawgs do not pull out a big win, yet will praise you when they do. You have the ability to see every situation with a unique, foreseeable lens. You have the ability to remain calm and strong each day despite the opinions of those who call themselves fans.
I can't lie. I do not know much at all about football. Sometimes, I have to wait and watch the reactions of people around me before I know what really just happened in the game. I can't recite game statistics, the numbers of players, or even tell you or weekly ranking without Googling it on Monday mornings. I can, however, recognize a blessing. I can tell when something really great is happening. You, Coach Richt, are both of these things. Each week, a new scandal comes out revealing the flaws of college athletes. While Georgia has had her share of these, you have done everything in your power to stifle those shortcomings. You hold your players to a standard that you have dubbed the "Georgia Way." You expect respect, diligence, and passion, and you settle for nothing less. You do not let the prospect of a championship distract you from your main goal. Today, a photo surfaced, featuring you praying with injured sophomore star, Nick Chubb. This photo speaks volumes not only about your sincerity and dedication to your boys. You truly want to help them reach their fullest potential.
Coach Richt, as both a Dawg fan and a Christian, I have to applaud you for all you have done. You have won countless games and you have brought many to a higher standard. Every time you don the G, you represent UGA. Every time you open your mouth, you represent Christ. In my opinion, the Bulldawg nation could not and should not try to begin to ask for a better coach. The scoreboard isn't the only determinant of success.
Continue to thrive, Coach Richt. I, as well as thousands of others, are behind you. With you as our head coach, we are blessed.
I pray for you, your family, and your team. Thank you again for your dedication to not only the red and black, but also to your Lord. Your work will be rewarded.
As always, Go Dawgs.
Sincerely,
Emily, a proud Dawg
The likelihood of this letter ever appearing on your computer screen is minute. After all, I am a college sophomore with a, well, tiny blog while you are the head coach of the greatest football team in the country. My goal in writing this is to not flatter you or to somehow get my name noticed. I am simply writing to give praise where praise is due. You, CMR, deserve it.
Last August, I entered Sanford Stadium for the first time for a "freshman year kick-off". I, a new bulldog student and fan, was amazed at the sheer size and power of the stadium. Though practically empty, I immediately experienced chills when "Glory, Glory" was played and I was taught how to call the Dawgs. Then, you showed up. Amidst the screaming of over five thousand freshman, I heard you offering your best wishes to us, telling us of the great joys that we would experience in the coming years. After a short speech, I as well as several hundred others made our way down to the field to meet you. Though it was raining and your family was waiting on you, you made time to talk and take pictures with us all individually. Like I said before, I was a new UGA fan. I couldn't think of anything better to say to you than "thank you" and a quick "Go Dawgs." I left the stadium that night bragging about meeting you and proclaiming how down to earth you were. My friends and family could not believe your dedication to the students.
A few weeks into my freshman year, I started to hear more about you. I learned that you were a renowned Christian. I learned that you hold your players to a high moral standard, and that you helped to baptize several of your players a few years earlier. I learned from an article that you were the one man that all other college football coaches would want to lead their sons.
Since I have arrived on campus, I have noticed that how you carry yourself and your team with grace, even in tough times. Last year, you inspired your team to press on after the loss of Todd Gurley. This year, you are rallying your troops once again after losing Nick Chubb. Despite your no doubt impressive leadership, members of the college football fan base, especially those of the Bulldawg nation, criticize you. After two tough consecutive losses, a call for your removal has been sounded by many. These "fans" mock your laid-back coaching strategies, saying that you spend too much time on character development and less on the game. I remember a quote from you that I heard last year in response to these very claims. I remember you saying that your goal was to prepare your men for life, whether they live it on or off the field. In my opinion, you are doing just this.
As head coach, it is your duty to make decisions that will benefit the team and increase its strength and dominance. While a goal is to win games, it is more important to help your players reach their highest potential. People were irritated when you removed Gurley following his allegations last year, yet Gurley was later drafted into the NFL. People were upset when you didn't respond violently to Tennessee's force, yet we still remain a strong contender in the conference. People will be mad in the future when the Dawgs do not pull out a big win, yet will praise you when they do. You have the ability to see every situation with a unique, foreseeable lens. You have the ability to remain calm and strong each day despite the opinions of those who call themselves fans.
I can't lie. I do not know much at all about football. Sometimes, I have to wait and watch the reactions of people around me before I know what really just happened in the game. I can't recite game statistics, the numbers of players, or even tell you or weekly ranking without Googling it on Monday mornings. I can, however, recognize a blessing. I can tell when something really great is happening. You, Coach Richt, are both of these things. Each week, a new scandal comes out revealing the flaws of college athletes. While Georgia has had her share of these, you have done everything in your power to stifle those shortcomings. You hold your players to a standard that you have dubbed the "Georgia Way." You expect respect, diligence, and passion, and you settle for nothing less. You do not let the prospect of a championship distract you from your main goal. Today, a photo surfaced, featuring you praying with injured sophomore star, Nick Chubb. This photo speaks volumes not only about your sincerity and dedication to your boys. You truly want to help them reach their fullest potential.
Coach Richt, as both a Dawg fan and a Christian, I have to applaud you for all you have done. You have won countless games and you have brought many to a higher standard. Every time you don the G, you represent UGA. Every time you open your mouth, you represent Christ. In my opinion, the Bulldawg nation could not and should not try to begin to ask for a better coach. The scoreboard isn't the only determinant of success.
Continue to thrive, Coach Richt. I, as well as thousands of others, are behind you. With you as our head coach, we are blessed.
I pray for you, your family, and your team. Thank you again for your dedication to not only the red and black, but also to your Lord. Your work will be rewarded.
As always, Go Dawgs.
Sincerely,
Emily, a proud Dawg