A for Effort
Chris Cooper and former Bengal great Anthony Munoz
I recently read a great editorial by George Will that advises parents to praise children for their efforts in school, not their intelligence. And I wholeheartedly agree.
That brings me to the story of Chris Cooper from Turpin High School in the Cincinnati area.
Cooper was a standout leader and super hard worker in the classroom as a student and on the football field as an offensive lineman.
It doesn't appear Cooper was quite good enough to get recruited by Ivy League teams, but he dreams of coming to Columbia and perhaps trying to make it as walk-on on the football team.
Effort is really the most important quality for young people in and out of the classroom. I salute Chris Cooper for achieving and exemplifying that principal in his life.
posted by Jake @ 3:04:00 AM
6 comments
6 Comments:
Very impressive young man who certainly would be a welcome addition to the football team and general student body at Columbia. The Lions have had a great tradition of outstanding players from the Cincinnatti area including most recently Lou Miller, Drew Quinn, Evan Miller and walk-on standout Darren Schmitt. Cooper, who is listed at 6'2" 250, certainly would have the opportunity to play football at Columbia and perhaps be as successful as Schmitt who became one of the best linemen in the League. If I remember correctly, Schmitt was only about 5'11" 200 lbs. On the other hand, a lineman Cooper's size is very unlikely to play football at a Big Ten School.
He has good linebacker size, 6'2, 218, so maybe he can play there. He made 1st team all-district and all-league.
Seems to be some discrepancy about Cooper's current weight, have seen it listed from 218 (Max Preps) to 250 (various other reports). In any case, as article states, he received, in addition to his other honors, the Offensive Lineman of the Year Award for Division II Ohio.
"The evening was a night of awards for many including Chris. He received an award from the Anthony Munoz Foundation for being selected the Offensive Lineman of the Year for Division II."
Not that many linemen or linebackers in our great-looking skills-position oriented incoming recruiting class. That translates into a great opportunity for talented big men like Chris Cooper to play football at Columbia. Good luck Chris.
His size is small for OL at the college level, but, his stats look good. I really like his attitude and desires for the future. His leadership skills are a big plus. Maybe a DL or LB possibility? Based on what I have read, he will eagerly adapt to what ever the need is. I hope to see him at Columbia.
He sounds like a Des Worthman type; nobody recruited him; we got him on a fluke; and he achieved greatness.
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