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I’m writing from the heart today, not the mind. I’m writing about the one guy in college sports who is so far above and beyond all the money and transfer portal complications, so much deeper in his thoughts and actions, so connected and focused on things far beyond greed and fame, so in touch with what really matters in the larger context of everlasting life, so focused on doing what’s right, so humble and respectful to everyone he encounters.
I’m writing today about a guy you may or may not have heard of but really should start paying more attention to: the Texas A&M basketball team coach, Buzz Williams.
Last night I rooted for Buzz’s team to beat almighty Kentucky which would all but clinch his team’s spot in the NCAA March Madness. There stood short and burly Buzz on the sideline clapping all the time, rooting his team on, doing everything he could to spur them on, being positive and deep and authentic and a rare beacon of hope and inspiration in this world filled with rancor and people behaving badly including many college basketball coaches.
Buzz’s team played like he has lied his whole life, with guts, and never-quit attitude, and a fire to just do their absolute best, and it worked.
They won. Monumental win. They’re most likely in the tourney.
During the post-game presser the ultra-polite Buzz, always addressing reporters with “yes sir” and “yes mam,” was asked about a red, white, and black T-shirt, A&M colors, he was wearing over his bulging biceps.
The shirt had this message:
The presence of the blessing
Does not mean the absence of pressure
Nor the requirement of production.
To the media, he explained the message: “We’re grateful. We’re thankful. We have joy. What do we have to do? We have to wake up and do more work. Can we get a little bit better?”
This was the 10th T-shirt he’s given to his Texas A&M players during his five years coaching the team.
Who does this? Who wears this kind of shirt to a press conference? In the history of college basketball, I’m pretty sure the answer is no one.
You see Buzz isn’t a typical men’s college basketball coach or a typical person. He’s about teaching his players about life as much as how to defend and shoot.
He holds regular sessions for his players when basketball isn’t discussed. He teaches them how to fill out an income tax form and other practical and spiritual lessons.
When you sign on to play for Buzz Williams, you’re going on the journey of your life unlike any other that will remind you day after day that life is about far more than basketball. You’ll watch a person whose life is direct and sincere service to others.
This isn’t a show or a PR stunt. This guy is genuine.
If my son had been interested in playing Division 1 basketball, I would have wanted him to play for Buzz Williams. Because, you see, Buzz cares about people. He really does. Not in a superficial way; but in a real way.
You can’t fake being genuine. Buzz doesn’t fake anything. He’s as upfront and open and sincere and human and loving and interested in life’s meaning as anyone you’ll ever meet anywhere and anytime in your life.
So heading into the tournament, let’s all rally around Buzz and his team that they make a deep run and we get to watch him inspire his players and all of us with his fresh insights about life during post-game pressers.
Some people are just different to their core than the rest of us. They know what they care about, what they believe, how they want to serve, and they don’t want any attention or credit.
So rare.
We’re grateful. We’re thankful. We have joy.
For Buzz Williams.
There’s no one like him anywhere.
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Sammy Sportface, a sports blogger, galvanizes, inspires, and amuses The Baby Boomer Brotherhood. And you can learn about his vision and join this group's Facebook page here:
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