Playing "At" Texas versus playing "for" Texas

[Billy Dale]

There are so many great potential recruits interested in Texas. I am excited about the future, but my emotions are tempered by an on-point quote from DKR. “Potential means you ain't done it yet.”

Plus I understand that the motives to play have changed dramatically as summed up by Lou Holtz. NIL has changed college football player motives forever.

I received $25 in laundry money a month as part of my scholarship, and I used the money to buy beer, and my mother did the laundry.

That said, wearing the helmet with the Longhorn logo and playing for Texas, not at Texas, was my passion. My top priorities were a chance to play for the University I love and receive an education. Those priorities no longer exist. The purity of motive is no longer relevant. Sad, but I am forced to accept it.

 

[SabreHorn]

Great post, Billy. Reminds me of listening to Coach Royal talking with a group (Ray Poage, Jerry Cook, Pete Lammons, can't remember who else) after a golf tournament in The Woodlands. DKR was talking about why he retired and the difference in athletes in the mid 70s and those in the 60s.

 

[Billy Dale]

Great post, Billy. Reminds me of listening to Coach Royal talking with a group (Ray Poage, Jerry Cook, Pete Lammons, can't remember who else) after a golf tournament in The Woodlands. DKR was talking about why he retired and the difference in athletes in the mid 70s and those in the 60s.

One of these days I will share the story of my roommate Julius Whittier and Coach Royal in the 1970's. Thanks for your comment. Billy Dale

The History of Longhorn Sports

 

[txhorn_et]

Thanks for sharing these stories with us. I recall Coach Royal coming to Angleton High School to recruit Larry Webb back in 1967. Talk about being in awe. To us Longhorn fans, seeing Coach was better than sliced bread.

 

[Boo ou]

There are so many great potential recruits interested in Texas. I am excited about the future, but my emotions are tempered by an on-point quote from DKR. “Potential means you ain't done it yet.”

Plus I understand that the motives to play have changed dramatically as summed up by Lou Holtz. NIL has changed college football player motives forever.

I received $25 in laundry money a month as part of my scholarship, and I used the money to buy beer, and my mother did the laundry.

That said, wearing the helmet with the Longhorn logo and playing for Texas, not at Texas, was my passion. My top priorities were a chance to play for the University I love and receive an education. Those priorities no longer exist. The purity of motive is no longer relevant. Sad, but I am forced to accept it.

Sad but true.