Between The Horns
An editorial by Secret Agent #70

9/9/2002

Right now Byron Leftwich has over 54% of the votes on a recent USA Today poll asking the question who is the best quarterback in the country. Right now there are a bunch of Miami and Oklahoma fans that are shaking their heads. Right now, you memory is getting longer while your life is getting shorter. All of these things are true.

Now, to address those folks that have a "major" attitude. The Heisman trophy has nothing to do with winning percentages, stats, who played who or whatever. The trophy is about and I quote:

"The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award is presented each year to the Outstanding College Football Player of the United States by the Downtown Athletic Club of New York City, Inc. "

So now that we know what the Heisman is about - lets put that into perspective (preseason of course).

Who is outstanding? Certainly Simms, Grossman, Dorsey, just to name a few. And then there's this guy named Byron. A kid from Washington DC with no formal training in football outside of afterschool practices. No camps for this guy. No fancy gyms either. Just a kid from DC with a shot and humble voice that got an athletic scholarship to a small school where he could get a good education (Computer Science by the way).

Sure everyone has their hardships, but I ask those of you who question the valid of a "Mid-Major" player - who's outstanding? Who has had to follow 2 other heisman candidates in the last 5 years? Do you question the Marshall program not creating outstanding players? Sure everyone knows about Pennington, Moss, and Troy Brown - what about Toviessi, Massey, Hanson? That's right folks - Marshall is generating NFL players at all positions. So for those of you with a "Major" attitude, kick back, relax, and let the kids play the game. Worry about the fuss in December and then we will truly find out who is outstanding in their field.

But in the meantime, you Herd Fans: As Coach Pruett always says: "Never quit trying and never try quitting". That statement rings in mind almost constantly every football season. It applies to life on and off the field. And it can be applied easily to every situation. Byron will be relentless on the defenses of our competitors this year. I anticipate that some examples will made of a couple of teams if not more this season. We're #19 in the nation right now - and we're number 19 for a reason. We face adversity well. As a matter of fact - many times it drives us (recall the 2nd half of the GMAC bowl, or the 1999 MACC). It's not just Byron Leftwich. It's the Herd. The Marshall University Thundering Herd. Keep that between your horns for a while.

Reporting Live From Huntington.

Secret Agent #70

Go Herd