[applause] And I have to say this, um I was really excited when coach got hired and uh was at the a couple days before the press conference. I told uh my communications person. I said, “Let’s go to the press conference.” It was it was busy. A lot of people there.
I was hoping I got a chance to to holler at you. I did get a chance to message coach on Twitter. He messaged me right back. Um, but we sat there and I remember some words that he said and I remember Leah saying, “This guy is bold. This guy is talking.
He is bold.” He said while we sat there, “We are going to win swag.” >> We are going to the celebration. [music] And [applause] I said, “Boy, [cheering] he talking.” Everybody back there was saying he’s talking.
And as I watched the season, as I went to a couple of games and I watched the season and I watched you all win the swag >> and go to the celebration. [applause] Hats off to you all. Keep keep making believers out of people. [music] I always tell folk people talk camp you out. But it’s something unique going on within this team.
this coaching staff >> and this overall community. [music] >> So folks, I want to tell you, keep doing what you’re doing, team. Keep being I’m I’m watching you all today. Just just just respectful, just doing a wonderful job. I I’m watching you.
>> Hallelujah. >> And I know that I’m not saying it’s not you all, but I can tell they’re disciplined throughout this program. >> And so keep doing what you’re doing. And coach, come on up. Give him a [music] hands to the ball team.
I’m joking though. They just had a team run. So I don’t think they legs can make me stand like that. Words give honor to God. Pastor, thanks for having us.
This is on the roster. Um, I grew up with my grandma. >> Yes, sir. >> So, you look down [applause] on me, my address in my church. >> I hear it.
>> Uh, we’re really excited excited to be here. And, you know, we stood on that podium uh a little over a year ago and we did say some things that were >> but we also said we were going to be involved in this community. >> Yes, sir. And we also said that we were going to have good grades. >> We also said that our players were going to produce a product that people can be proud of.
>> So I am nothing without these these players. [applause] Stand up real quick so people can see who who watches over these guys. [applause] Thank you. [applause] And um every day is a fight. And >> that’s kind of what life really is right now.
Every day. >> Yes, sir. >> For these young men’s lives have become a fight. >> Yes, sir. >> Sometimes the fight is them.
You got to fight them for them. >> Yeah. >> Sometimes you got to help them fight against other things. But we we certainly accepted that challenge a long time ago. We use football as a as a vehicle to help get them from point A to point B.
>> All right. Amen. >> We don’t stand in front of you and say it’s about, you know, people say, “Oh, you got to go to school.” Yeah, you do. But the initial attraction >> Yes, sir.
>> It was football. Let’s just call us. They can go to school anywhere. >> Uh they chose to come to Prairie A&M >> because of the vision and the leadership that we have and where we say we going. And I I I need to brag on my babies.
>> I don’t normally do this in front of them [clears throat] cuz they start feeling themselves, right? These guys since we’ve been here uh they’ve got over a 3.0 team GPA [cheering and applause] bowl >> but the 3.0 team GPA never so these guys look to continue to climb. They’ve got a lot of community service hours.
I would tell you in front of them if there’s somewhere we can help uh move something, cut something, sir. >> Do something, we certainly are are in and want to be involved in that. Um because that’s what we’re here for. >> We’re not just here for your Saturday. Here’s a challenge to our team.
Um when we got here, people talked about people not attending the games, and we simply said, “How dare we >> want somebody to come support us >> when we’ve done nothing for them? YEAH. >> And so that’s why we’re here. >> Uh we certainly appreciate you guys inviting us and having us, but we’re really here so you can see us. >> I don’t care if you don’t come to a game.
We’re going to always be here. Yes, sir. >> So when you need us, please please call us. I I do want our our our players to do something for me. We normally don’t talk to people without saying go Panthers.
Right. >> And so I’m going to say this to our players and then they going to say it back and then we all going to say it. >> Go Panthers. Go Panthers. >> Go Panthers.
>> Go Panthers. >> All right. Now we all going to say go Panthers. >> Go Panthers. >> Go Panthers.
>> Go Panthers. >> Because the Panthers need to go. [applause] >> It’s now time for the Panthers to go. Here’s here’s something quick for you. Uh, somebody said 15 minutes.
I ain’t got 15 minutes for you. I ain’t got that. I got a quick quick deal. Last year’s theme was to move our program from water to wine. Yeah.
>> John 2 and5 says, “Whatever he tells you to do, >> do it.” >> And so we we certainly understand the reason why I’m able to stand bold and say some things is cuz I’m just doing what he told me to do. >> If [applause] you understand who told you >> and who you are >> and who he puts you around, >> then you can really stand and pretty much say anything you want. >> Yes, sir. >> This year’s theme is is finish the fight.
Yeah. >> Um, it comes from Acts 20 and 24 >> where Paul is talking and Paul simply says, “I don’t care about my own life. >> My only aim >> is to finish the race and the task >> that God gave me.” >> And that’s just simply to preach the good news. >> And so here here we are.
>> Our only aim >> is is to finish the race >> and to finish the task. not just winning the celebration ball, but making sure these guys graduate with with graduate degrees and undergraduate degrees, [applause] making sure that they are making sure they’re protected members into this society >> and let them know that that they don’t have to go anywhere. So, for us, it’s simple. >> Uh we love God, we love each other, and we love our community. >> We certainly look forward uh to seeing you guys in our stadium.
Uh, but when you see these guys in Walmart, when you see them in ATV, sir, >> and you don’t they not doing something that they supposed to be doing, >> you need to get them corrected. >> Because that’s truly what community really is. >> And again, I’m old school. >> Yes, sir. >> I went to Holland Heights Elementary in Acres Home.
And >> by the time I did something wrong now, by the time I got to the end of THE STREET, IT WAS >> I was already walking. And >> so we we certainly >> That’s old school. Yes, sir. very old school. Uh we certainly expect for them to be corrected.
Now, if you need to correct these guys, please ma’am, please sir, say something to them. Uh it is a great appreciation that we have for you having us here. If you ever need us for something, if you ever want us to be a part of something, we can’t do everything. Let me just tell you that right now. We can’t do everything, but we can do most things.
I look forward to to working with you guys in this community. Please, ma’am, please sir, come see us uh on the hill. We open up September 6th against the school in Houston, and we don’t say their name very much. So, we uh we certainly would love to see you there. And it is our only aim to not only just get this community back to the Swag Championship, but to finish the job and win the celebration.
[applause]
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