I have debated blogging on this topic for a few days, but this morning I decided to go ahead with this. I am not writing this to disparage a young man, I am writing this to encourage a kid. LaMarcus Coker is a talented young man. He’s the Enzo fast Antioch native who led all SEC freshmen in rushing with 696 yards, including two runs of over 85 yards. He put up these numbers despite playing a minimal role early, and missing time later on in the season after sustaining an injury in the Alabama game. This offseason, much was made about how offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe was going to utilize Coker’s many talents. There were visions of Coker playing a versatile role on offense, lining up in the slot at times to take advantage of his elite speed against safeties and linebackers. His talents seemed well-suited to playing this Reggie Bush – Brian Westbrook role, and with the lack of proven big-play returnees at wide receiver, it was a natural fit.
However, on the first day of full-contact practice, the bombshell went off. Coach Phillip Fulmer suspended Coker indefinitely due to violating team rules. Rumors have abounded, but all signals point to some sort of substance abuse. Just two weeks ago, Coker talked about how he had turned the page on some of his youthful inconsistencies, but then this happened. Fulmer seemed to back off on his criticism publicly, stating that Coker is a good kid who just has some issues to work through and let everyone know that Coker was remorseful to his teammates and the fans for what he had done.
I, like all Volunteer fans, hope that LaMarcus can work through these issues and get back on the football field, but this is so much bigger than that. This is about stepping up and being a man and putting away childish things. This is about going to class, studying, working out, and not playing puff-puff-pass with some of your buddies back in Antioch who don’t have the opportunity you have to make a better life for yourself. This is about being a better father, son, brother, uncle, student, teammate, and person. The prize is down at the end of the hall for a kid with Coker’s gifts, he’s just got to walk down the hall without slipping on the proverbial banana peel. The problem is, right now, he’s on the slip-n-slide. This is not just applicable to LaMarcus, but so many kids now get jaded with the “keeping it real†theory and end up “keeping it real stupid†and throwing away all of their potential before they know it.
In closing my blog on this, I want to say that I’m rooting for LaMarcus Coker more than anybody. I love the instinctive nature in which he plays the game, and from all accounts, he’s a pretty darn good kid. My message to Mr. Coker is this:
LaMarcus, God gave you a special gift; use it before it’s too late.
Wellway16