(Greetings, Lion fans. This one is a little different, and from the heart. Please Allow me.)

To My Guys:

I don’t know many of you. Some, I’ve met in passing. Some, I’ve shook hand with and chatted after a game. Some, like Mitchell McGarry, I’ve gotten to know pretty well. You’re still my guys. How? because 40 plus years ago, I was right where you were. I was just a walk on that went through two a day practices in the August heat and survived the dreaded ET Mile. The summer of 1980 was particularly brutal (ask Blake Cooper, he’ll tell you). After two summers and a spring practice, it became clear to me that I was never going to get on the field, and I made one of the worst decisions in my life. I left the program. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t regret it. I gained some very valuable lessons and made some great friends who I still have today. Looking back, I would trade a day since then, because I wouldn’t be where I’m at today. I get to cover every sport now, write about it, and some actually read it. For that, I am thankful.

Enough about me, though. This is intended for you. I know last season didn’t go anywhere near like all of you wanted. You came in on a tradition of winning and championships. My first season at The Wire was covering the 2017 National Championship run.

Recently, it’s been a perfect storm of misery and hardship. The sudden jump to Division 1 that happened before it seemed we were ready. Not being able to participate in a chance for the playoffs and national championships. Being in the middle of a transition period that has left the talent level a little low and brought on the 1-9 record of last season. Given these factors, and seeming promises that the transfer portal offers in search of greener grass. It would be easy to do.

What I write about to you today is to tell you that there are brighter days ahead. A perfect example. In 1954, Paul Bryant took over at Texas A&M and took his players to Junction, Texas for the most brutal of preseason camps. Many quit, and more played hurt, and the “Junction Boys” finished 1-9. Two years later, in 1956, they were Southwest Conference Champions.

In a phrase, keep the faith. The staff here at The Wire, and a whole lot more believe in you, and have the faith that you’re on the right path. You were meant to be here. I know I’m happy that you are. I promise I’ll be there for you, win or lose. After all, you’re my guys.

Remember this: wherever you go in life when you leave Commerce, you will have many different titles. Husband. Son. Father, I’d like to add one more: Lion. You will be many other things, but you will always be a Lion.

There is a voice over by the actor Gene Hackman at the end of a movie called The Replacements. It goes like this:

“…What they didn’t know, was that their lives would be changed forever. For they had been a part of something great. And greatness, no matter how brief, stays with a man. Every athlete dreams of a second chance.”

There’s a million reasons why you could go into the transfer portal, and I hope I’ve been able to give you one good reason to stay. Please do. I can only promise that you’ll be happy you did.

Russell