Kirk Cousin's Big Ten Speech

The Washington Redskins recently named Kirk Cousin's as their starting Quarterback for the upcoming season.  I have been a huge fan of his since hearing a video of his speech at a Big 10 Conference Event.  Just thought I would share an excerpt.  We need more men like him in sports.  You can youtube "Kirk Cousins Big Ten Speech" to watch a video of his entire speech.  It will likely be the best 8 minutes of your week.

"-- Being a college football player in today's culture is a privilege . . . a privilege that brings much responsibility.

-- We, as players, have a responsibility to give our all for fans who spend hard earned money to watch us play.

-- We have a responsibility to represent the name on the front of our jerseys, on and off the field, in such that a way that our fellow students, faculty, administrators and alumni have good reason to say . . . He's one of ours.

-- We have a responsibility to represent the name on the back of our jerseys in such a way that our parents, brothers, sisters, and family members have good reason to say . . . He's one of us.

-- We have a responsibility to work hard in the classroom, as good stewards of the education that has been given to many of us free of charge.

-- We have a responsibility to treat, with respect, the people who cover us in the media.

-- We have a responsibility to use the platform we've been given to provide a true example of what it means to be a young man to those 10- and 12-year-old boys who see us as bigger than life. I know this to be true, because just a few short years ago, I was one of those 12-year-old boys . . . and I remember well how I looked up to the players whose position, by God's grace, I'm standing in today.

-- We have a responsibility to develop and use our God-given talents to their fullest potential and to do so in a way that honors God and benefits others. I don't believe it's too far-fetched to think that we as college football players could make a significant positive difference in the youth culture of America, simply by embracing the responsibilities that accompany our place of privilege.

We could redefine "what is cool" for young people.

We could set a new standard for how to treat others.

We could embody what it means to be a person of integrity.

We could show to young people that excellence in the classroom is a worthy pursuit.

We could show that it's more important to do what is right, than to do what feels right.

While I believe we as players, do not deserve the platform we have been given . . . we have it nonetheless. It comes with the territory of being a college football player in the Big Ten.

May we as players have wisdom to handle this privilege and the courage to fulfill the responsibility we've been given.

Thank you and GO GREEN!"