Moral Character and a Strong Football Program

[SouthernCock]

The picture with miles and Dylan after the um game says it all to me and the kind of groups of kids we have here

[HeadCockFan]

The morning after the game down in Tampa, I saw Dylan by himself walking around a mall downtown, just taking in the day like nothing happened. He's just a regular guy. A regular guy that throws game winning passes and doesn't stay out late that night, and goes to the mall the next morning to get a new pair of Wranglers, LOL.

What a guy!

[Coulwoodwarlord]

Is it really that surprising that the Fellowship of Christian Athletes still remains at our University ? I think not.

[HeadCockFan]

Christian or not, we have a lot of high character guys on the team right now. I'm proud of that.

[FLgamecockJAX]

Originally Posted by Spurticus

I'm going to say something that a lot of people won't agree with but
needs to be said. ..... Look at the state of this program 3-4 years
ago, and where it is / has been the last couple of years ( our best
season ever and best ever back to back years).... 3-4 even further back
we were on needles and pins most of the time, and waiting for the next
local article to come out in the news about one of players doing something
they weren't supposed to do off the field, and it more likely than not
involved alcohol, drugs, and / or happened at five points.

There have been no major off the field issues with this team the last
couple of seasons (our best season ever and best back to back seasons)
People can brush off stuff as "just kids being kids" or "I used to do the
same thing when I was in college" etc... BUT when you have leaders who
have their prioities in order and are firmly grounded in those things that
are more important that a game (Like their Religion, Their Families and
those around them who count on them) Then to me, it is no surprise
that the incidents of Stupid off the field decisions go down, and success
of the program gets better.

When your major leaders of the program over the last couple of years
were guys like DJ, Connor, Marcus and Dylan, guys who are strong
family oriented and strong in their faith.... THIS is why the program has
been taken to the next level from where it was a few years ago.

"Attitude Reflects Leadership" ~ Julius Campbell (from the movie Remember The Titans)

Great Post Spurt! John Maxwell has a book that talks about talent alone never being enough. As for physical talent, Demetris Summers had tons of it. Where did it get him? We've seen tons of talent pass threw COLA in the last 12-13 years. Maxwell talks about 13 attributes that is needed in addition to talent and this combination makes leaders.

Charles Schulz said life is like a 10 speed bike. Most have gears they never use. Some of those extremely talented players we experienced relied on 5th gear. Over the last couple of years, we've experienced players with character looking to use all 10 speeds!!

[me4USC]

Originally Posted by Coulwoodwarlord

Is it really that surprising that the Fellowship of Christian Athletes still remains at our University ? I think not.

Thompson did an internship with FCA last summer. A group of Gamecock football players met with him once a week for Bible study.

[eaglegolf018]

I know the moderator. He comes to the place I work once a year with that youth group. Really nice guy. Didn't know he did this though. I was really shocked when I started watching this and saw him on there.

[GamecockTim1992]

Originally Posted by Spurticus

I'm going to say something that a lot of people won't agree with but
needs to be said. ..... Look at the state of this program 3-4 years
ago, and where it is / has been the last couple of years ( our best
season ever and best ever back to back years).... 3-4 even further back
we were on needles and pins most of the time, and waiting for the next
local article to come out in the news about one of players doing something
they weren't supposed to do off the field, and it more likely than not
involved alcohol, drugs, and / or happened at five points.

There have been no major off the field issues with this team the last
couple of seasons (our best season ever and best back to back seasons)
People can brush off stuff as "just kids being kids" or "I used to do the
same thing when I was in college" etc... BUT when you have leaders who
have their prioities in order and are firmly grounded in those things that
are more important that a game (Like their Religion, Their Families and
those around them who count on them) Then to me, it is no surprise
that the incidents of Stupid off the field decisions go down, and success
of the program gets better.

When your major leaders of the program over the last couple of years
were guys like DJ, Connor, Marcus and Dylan, guys who are strong
family oriented and strong in their faith.... THIS is why the program has
been taken to the next level from where it was a few years ago.

"Attitude Reflects Leadership" ~ Julius Campbell (from the movie Remember The Titans)

Here, here! Thanks Spurt for your great insight once again. Oh, and please go ahead and clear your schedule for Spring practice...can't wait to read your reports again this year! You da man!

[CockLurker]

Originally Posted by HeadCockFan

The morning after the game down in Tampa, I saw Dylan by himself walking around a mall downtown, just taking in the day like nothing happened. He's just a regular guy. A regular guy that throws game winning passes and doesn't stay out late that night, and goes to the mall the next morning to get a new pair of Wranglers, LOL.

What a guy!

lol

Maybe our adoration of these kids is getting a little bit too high if we are amazed that our backup QB was at the mall one morning buying jeans.

[MWard]

Dylan Thompson just tweeted that he will be here 2 more years!!!

LOLOLOL, I thought the timing was funny and no he didn't really tweet that.

[me4USC]

Originally Posted by CockLurker

lol

Maybe our adoration of these kids is getting a little bit too high if we are amazed that our backup QB was at the mall one morning buying jeans.

He was buying jeans before he flew out to the Passion 2013 Conference in Atlanta. That's fairly unusual, I think. Of course, we could perhaps have a pic of him partying like A J McCarron.

[4gamecockfb]

if he starts next year or not, he deserves to start his senior year

[sodacitynate]

He's a little over-the-top with the religious stuff in the postgames, imo. But I like the guy, and I think he has a lot of potential.

[me4USC]

Originally Posted by sodacitynate

He's a little over-the-top with the religious stuff in the postgames, imo. But I like the guy, and I think he has a lot of potential.

In his early interviews, he was more outspoken. In the last couple, he just quoted a verse and kept going. However, when they ask him if he was nervous or how he built his confidence the week before, he gives them his honest answer. If the reporters didn't ask those particular questions, he wouldn't say that he had prayed about it or talked to God.

I actually like that about him, but I understand your point, too. Like I said though, he's already said that his confidence comes from God. They don't need to keep asking the same questions.

[Carolina4Life]

At least Thompson doesn't use Christianity to hide his homosexuality like Tebow.

[Coulwoodwarlord]

Originally Posted by Carolina4Life

At least Thompson doesn't use Christianity to hide his homosexuality like Tebow.

General of the Garnet Army eh ........................

[me4USC]

Originally Posted by Carolina4Life

At least Thompson doesn't use Christianity to hide his homosexuality like Tebow.

I think his girlfriend would probably say he isn't gay.

[Carolina4Life]

Me & this guy agree...Oh yea he's 25 and still calming a virgin.

[Cocky2001]

Originally Posted by Carolina4Life

Me & this guy agree...Oh yea he's 25 and still calming a virgin.

This thread started out as something great letting our fanbase, The Gamecock Nation, know about some of the positive things that one of our players is doing. I think that Spurt makes a great point as I posted earlier. Now, it has morphed into posting a video of some loser trying to use Tim Tebow to garner his 15 seconds of fame?

Are you kidding me?

I don't particularly care for Tim Tebow. Had he played for us I would feel differently...but, he didn't. I do respect the fact that he has some moral fiber about him and has the spine, guts, balls to not only claim he is something, but to live his life accordingly and not just use that as a facade.

Dylan, I do believe (and this comes from some that know him...not me...but they are trustworthy to me at least) is cut out of the same fabric. He has found something in his relationship with Jesus Christ. Now, whether you are a Christian or not, you should respect his choice concerning his own life and you should really appreciate the fact that this keeps him out of trouble and when his off the field activities do make the papers they don't involve the police or drugs or underage drinking.

Now, I would much rather hear about him living a life worthy of his being asked to speak to youth at churches instead of hearing how the police arrested him at 5 points...or that he had beaten his girlfriend to a pulp (I think that happened 3 seasons in a row a few years back), or that he was pulled over and a hand gun and a dime bag were found beneath the driver's seat...I could go on and on...and if you have been a fan for any length of time you could too.

So, let's focus on the positives while we have them...Dylan is not alone on our team doing this...and let's allow our culture to continue to change for the better...and let's all try to keep a positive about one of our players a positive and not allow, and certainly not contribute to, something bad to be made of something that is really good.

[2000grad]

Adrian Dupree is one of the best chaplains in the business. He does a lot to help these guys with their walk. I would hate to lose him to another university