Hello my friends. In the past month, this subject has weighed heavy on my heart for several reasons. I have seen far too many of our men and women center their lives on sports looking for the big payday. However, when that payday doesn’t come, and your body is beat down, aching, and starting to gain weight…I wonder was it all worth it in the end? However, I do know a guy that is a great example of doing it the right way and making it (sports), work to his advantage.
His name is Quentin Riggins. His football resume includes, All State linebacker at Robert E. Lee High School, in Montgomery, AL. This earned him a full scholarship to play college football at Auburn University where he was All-SEC his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons. He was 2nd Team All-American his junior and seasons as well as leading the team in tackles both years. Last year, he was inducted in the SEC Hall of Fame. I can go on and on about his many accomplishments on the field, but the same way I can brag about him, you can name a person or two that you can brag about their exploits on the field as well. However, the way I can name Quentin as a success story; I can also remember another guy from my hometown, that I won’t name, that had similar success in college, then, went on to play about 7 or 8 years in the NFL. However, this guy allowed sports to use him, and he is now back at home in Montgomery, with no degree, broke, and living at home with his mom. This guy, unlike Quentin, went to Auburn to play football, not to get an education. Although professional football panned out for him, you cannot play football forever. The sad thing is because he didn’t educate himself, he got taken advantage of once he got to the NFL and became rich. Initially, you may see him as a victim because he had it all and lost it all. I challenge you to fight that temptation to see him in this light because he, just like Quentin, was on full scholarship and had every opportunity to go to class and earn his degree, but he chose not to. As a result, the outcome of his life is altogether different than what it should be.
So what makes Quentin so special? The answer is simple….absolutely nothing because he didn’t do anything out of the ordinary. He simply did what he was supposed to do, which was get an education and make the most of his opportunities. He is the most regular guy that you will ever meet. If you walked up to him on the street, not knowing who he was already, or even if you did know who he was, he would be just as nice to you whether he knew you or not. He is, however, the example of using sports to his advantage. He got his degree from Auburn (thanks to his football scholarship), because he went to school to get an education. Playing football simply provided the means to an end. He even played in the World Football League for a few years overseas where his football career ended due to injury. So, he then came back home and went to work, thanks to the degree he earned playing at Auburn. However, he understood that in the state of Alabama, Auburn alumni have a very extensive network. He made the right connections during his time playing for Auburn to set up his career after football. He has worked his way up through the state government and legislation. Some of the roles he served in are Legislative Analyst for the Speaker of the House, Legislative Liaison to the Governor, and he is now serving as the Senior Vice President for Governmental Affairs. Also, since 1991, he has also been moonlighting as a Sideline Reporter for Auburn Football. So, the same university that he played for now pays him to stay connected to their football program.
Knowing how serious I am about parenting, I cannot fail to mention that he is very active in the community and is a proud husband and father. He may not know it until he reads this article, but Quentin was a role model to me and I am sure many others who watched him play. For me, he was not a role model because of what he did on field, but because of the example he set in his life off the field. I was fortunate enough to know him personally. Therefore, I got to see the competitor on the field and the person off the field. As a person and as a player, I saw him do it the “right way”.
I never asked him if he had NFL dreams or not. I’m sure like most of us, he did. At 6’0, 210 pounds in 1989, there were not a lot of NFL teams taking linebackers at his size. I have no doubt if he was bigger, he would have had a great pro career because he was gifted, a student of the game, and a leader. I knew he would be successful in life because of the type of person he was. Because he was one of the good guys, he is mentioned with the greats that packed 85,000 people into Jordan-Hare Stadium every Saturday.
Young men and women please don’t take this as me discouraging you from pursuing professional sports. I would never want to take away any young person’s dream. I encourage you to pursue your dreams, no matter what they may be. I am asking you to be responsible for getting your education along the way. Let sports pay for your education, but by all means, take advantage of the opportunity to earn your degree. In closing, I want to ask you, who is your example of an athlete using sports and not letting sports use them? However, the bigger and more significant question is WILL YOU USE SPORTS, OR, WILL SPORTS USE YOU?
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