Name Game

"It's a numbers game..."

Mos Def - Mathematics

The Crimson Tide are the national champions, however they were eclipsed by the play of one cool customer...

Showtime

I am not a college football fan...I'm more of a bandwagon college football fan. For instance, at the beginning of the season I was cheering for USC and Penn State, once they lost, I figured I would watch Florida, but at the last minute I changed my mind and became an Alabama fan. Oh and then my school, Temple University got hot, and had a 9-4 season so I had to root them on too.

It all boiled down to Thursday night at the Rose Bowl for the national championship as 'Bama and Texas played for all the marbles. I didn't give the Longhorns much credit until the game began and they played very well on both sides of the ball...that is until their All-American quarterback Colt McCoy was injured, and the team had to rely on a true freshman by the name of Garrett Gilbert.

Naturally I figured that Gilbert would struggle and the Tide would roll all over Texas...and while he had a slow start, he soon proved his playmaking prowess. As much as I wanted to see his team lose, I couldn't help but appreciate his effort, and determination...he is a Gilbert and we have to stick together.

Last night showed me that a relatively unknown man named Gilbert can enter the biggest moment of his career, and prove that he belongs. It made me think about my life, and the opportunities that are just around the corner...and even though Alabama beat Texas 37-21, Garrett Gilbert is a name that everyone will forever remember, and because of that fact, I believe that even in defeat, he stands victorious.

Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

By Any Means Necessary...

Proven

The future

"I thought Jordans, and a gold chain was living it up..."

Nas - Street Dreams

I can admit when I'm wrong...so when the Charlotte Bobcats drafted DJ Augustin out of Texas with the 9th overall pick last summer, I wasn't too sure about him. Then he signed an endorsement deal with the Jordan Brand soon after...at which I felt was another move in the wrong direction. To say I was perplexed is an understatement.

The Most Known Unknown

Augustin played collegiately at Texas, and outside of Kansas, I don't watch teams from the BIG 12 Conference, but after seeing him play recently in Philadelphia, I wish that I would have paid more attention to him before. His game is good, and by the time I caught up with him in the visiting locker room, we started what will become a good friendship, and respect for each other's profession.

Here is the final score on our conversation:

What are your feelings in playing for Michael Jordan, as well as representing him on the court, with the Jordan Brand?
“It’s a dream come true. Growing up, I always looked up to Michael Jordan, he’s my favorite player, and to play for his team and to wear his shoe, it’s a great feeling!”

Did you collect Jordan sneakers when you were younger?
“I tried, I tried to keep up with them, but I couldn’t keep up. My friends they used to do, but I never did, but now I have all the Jordan’s so…now my friends are calling and asking me for shoes now. [Laughs]”

How often do you switch up and wear a new pair?
“I don’t wear a new pair that often…it’s tough to do that…I have to break them in a little bit. I try to go about 10…about 10 games, and then I’ll switch them up. We get different shoes every quarter of the season, and after All-Star break, we get a new selection, so I just try to switch up every 10 games. They [Jordan Brand] offer a lot of different colors and different styles, it’s great!”

Which is your favorite Jordan?
“Favorite shoe…man? There’s so many man…I’ll probably have to say the XI’s, I like the Space Jams, and the Six Rings right now, they’re tight. I was playing in them, but they’re kind of heavy for me, so I don’t play in them anymore. Now I’m wearing the Jumpman Pro, and they’re really light.”

Growing up as a fan, and now you are representing the brand…can you put how that feels into words?
“It’s crazy…it’s unbelievable, it’s really a dream come true like I said…I’m just very blessed to be in this opportunity and take advantage of it.”