Chances are, I am not going to remember much about the championship football game last night between Texas and Alabama. Sure, I'll remember they played. I'll remember Colt McCoy got hurt in his last game as a Longhorn and had to helplessly cheer on his deflated team from the sidelines. Yeah, I'll most likely remember how freshman Garrett Gilbert stepped up into an impossible role to fill the shoes of a Heisman candidate quarterback after the freak injury that took him out in the first series of the game. If I'm lucky, I'll even be able to remember how poorly the Alabama team executed throwing Gatorade on their coach, Nick Saban, nearly knocking him out.
I won't remember the yards rushed. I won't remember the yards passed. I won't remember the interceptions, the yards gained after contact, I won't remember who played who in the division championships or that I was irritated to have to listen to Brent Musburger tell stories from the media booth as he was clueless to what was actually going on between the 360 x 160 turf.
I'll tell you what I will remember.
Like him or not, like the team or not, Colt McCoy unveiled his already known sincerity and passion for the sport while keeping not only the game, but his entire life and career in perspective. When asked how hard it was for him to watch the game from the sidelines, it took him awhile to even respond. Baby? Pansy? No. Competitor. Those who can't appreciate the tears and emotion of an athlete have never felt the wrenching pain of a difficult loss. Playing in big games always translates into emotional reactions, win OR lose. It's part of the love of the game.
When his composure was gained, Colt McCoy went on to make a statement. No, it wasn't in the win when he connected to the status quo thanks of most athletes, thanking God for giving them the talent of being stellar athletes and thanking their Mamma for believing in them.
He just lost. From the sidelines.
His response to the loss in an immediate post-game interview, though emotional and difficult, was the one thing I will undoubtedly remember from the National Championship Game of the 2009 season.
"I always give God the glory. I never question why things happen the way they do. God is in control of my life and I know that, if nothing else, I'm standing on the Rock." ~ Colt McCoy, post Championship
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