SHA, regarding Burt, you can't judge the staff on the outcome of the recruitment of one young man. This staff has done a remarkable job of national recruiting for 2015 and 2016, developing current players, cleaning out malcontents on the current roster, and yes, holding together certain parts of the roster with bubble gum and duct tape. I hope that Burt remains with Texas, but if he decides to sign with Auburn, how do we blame the staff?
At the time of Earl's recruitment, how would you have felt had you known that his decision would have come down to whether or not he had to get up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night? Really? I'm certain that you have read
The Tyler Rose. Had he gone to OU, it would have meant no Earl to tackle Bevo, no Heisman during Earl's career, and no Tim Campbell. In short, it would have left a huge void in the history of Texas football. I think it would have also cost Earl a valuable mentor. There is no possible way that Switzer could have filled one of Royal's shoes.
Several powerful quotes from that book about Earl:
- regarding a broken hand in high school: '...the break required a cast. This didn't put a damper on his burning desire to excel, "no matter what the cost." Foremost in Earl's mind was the thought that he couldn't let Coach La Croix (jhs coach and later hs coach) or the team down; in the end, he went to the shop classroom, and cut the cast off. Earl played that entire year with a broken hand, vowing never to wear a cast on his hand again. It was a promise he was to keep throughout his entire career.' pgs 18-19
- 'Coach La Croix's widow, Ann, heard much about Earl from her husband (Coach La Croix died in 1979)...Even at that early stage of his life, Earl could see the big picture, and he would let nothing get in his way. He was convinced of his destiny...He needed to stay on the straight and narrow, refining the skills that would take him to great heights." pg 19
- Royal's promise to Ann Campbell during his in-home visit in Tyler, "Earl will be good for Texas, just as Texas will be good for Earl. What he will get is my personal concern for his well-being and an education. Nothing more, and nothing less." ..."when Darrell Royal finished speaking, he had won a large vote of confidence in the mind of Ann Campbell." pg 38
- "Earl, however, had yet to speak." (He had heard rumors of racism, those rival schools still try to spread.) ..."I hope you don't think Earl Campbell is for sale, 'cause I'm not. My people were bought and sold when they didn't have a choice, and I just wanted you to know that I'M NOT FOR SALE." pg 38
- "When Earl went to bed that evening, he silently prayed 'God, if it's your will that I should attend The University of Texas, then I'll get up during the night to pee. If not, if I sleep through the night, then I'll know your choice for me will be the University of Oklahoma.'" pgs 40-41
---All bullet points from The Tyler Rose: The Earl Campbell Story; An Authorized Biography, as told to Paddy Joe Miller, pgs 18,19, 38, 40, 41
Many of those quotes remind me of something Strong might say to a recruit, or the characteristics that Strong looks for in his players. It reinforces my opinion that Strong is rebuilding Texas Football in the winning tradition of Darrell Royal. He is building on character, hard work, self-discipline, and teamwork. Is there any other way?
Hook 'em!
h34r: 
