(Above: Gov. Bentley speaks to the Auburn University football team)
Alabama Governor Robert Bentley on Monday met with Auburn University football players, coaches and staff before the team leaves on New Years Eve for the BCS Championship game in Pasadena.
“I’m not going to be able to go to the game… But I wanted to just take a little time and speak to y’all and tell you how proud I am of what you’ve accomplished,” Bentley told the team. “It’s amazing to see the turnaround that has taken place over this last year. That’s due to good coaching, it’s due to all the hard work that y’all have put in. And, you know, I’m not one who believes in luck. I’m not one who believes in fate. I believe that we were put here for a purpose. I think God put us all here for a purpose. He gave us special gifts and He expects us to develop those gifts and use them right, and that’s what y’all have done.”
Bentley praised the Tigers for their resilience and hard work, calling them “the best of the best” before turning his attention specifically to Auburn’s offense.
“I don’t know what kind of offense you guys run,” Bentley said. “I haven’t figured it out… It looks like a mixture of the old Notre Dame Box and the Wing-T… You can’t tell where that ball is. Those guys up front, those defensive linemen, they can’t tell where the ball is.”
The governor also showed off his social media acumen during his short speech.
“Where’s Sammy Coates?… I was reading Sammy’s tweets this morning coming over,” Bentley said, drawing laughs from Coates’ teammates. “He’s got some good stuff on there, guys.”
Timothy II 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
— sammie coates (@sammiecoates11) December 20, 2013
Psalms 57:9 I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations.
— sammie coates (@sammiecoates11) December 25, 2013
Philippians 4:13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
— sammie coates (@sammiecoates11) December 30, 2013
Bentley said he was excited that Auburn was representing the State of Alabama, but opted not to make a prediction on the outcome of the game.
“I’m not saying that you’re going to win this game,” the Governor said. “I don’t know if God cares if someone wins a game… But He cares about you and He cares about me as an individual. You do your best. However it comes out, you’ll be a winner.”
The team presented the governor with a signed football at the conclusion of his remarks.
The #2 Auburn Tigers are set to take on the top ranked Florida State Seminoles on Jan. 6 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Central Time.
Follow Cliff on Twitter @Cliff_Sims
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