IS JOE BURROW THE GREATEST FIGHTING TIGER OF ALL TIME?
IS JOE BURROW THE GREATEST FIGHTING TIGER OF ALL TIME?
Susan and I had the great privilege of supporting Joe in person as he received the Heisman. I've seen a lot of great Tigers! I'm so enthralled by last night that I can't even think about Joe's place in history. Whatever your thoughts are let's enjoy Joe and all our great Tigers. Here are some thoughts from a team member. - Richard Lipsey
As the events of the day dictated, the Mathis Family was not able to watch Joe Burrow receive his Heisman live. We retreated to a side room in a public space to gather around the cell phone to hear Joe's words. I immediately told my family "Joe Burrow is the greatest Fighting Tiger ever. " My youngest son immediately said "What about Pete Maravich?". I told him that there have been many great players who are also great people who have done so much in competition and behind the scenes for LSU. LSU's baseball stadium is named after a Fighting Tiger who lost his life as a war hero. I'm not saying Joe is better than them. What I am saying is that you'll have a hard time finding an athlete who has done more for LSU and our state while at LSU than Joe Burrow. I thank Richard Lipsey for giving me a chance to share my thoughts here.
First of all Joe's speech was one of greatness that any young person should try to understand if they also wish to be great. He began by thanking the young men on the offensive line who without recognition make anything he does possible. He spent a good deal of time honoring the Ohio State program where he was never provided an opportunity to play. He honored, remembered, and encouraged the folks in the financially challenged area of Ohio where he was raised. He powerfully recognized Coach Orgeron in a way that should settle any recruit's decision about where he should play football.
While Joe tearfully thanked Coach O for giving him an opportunity, let's remember what Joe had at stake trusting Coach O and LSU. After 3 years of not being able to show his talents, he chose a school that had shown very little ability to throw the forward pass for a decade that had a brand new offensive coaching staff. That was quite a decision.
His tribute to our great state of Louisiana, the great people of Louisiana, and LSU will have effect for years to come in today's media culture . This media environment was not available to heroes of the past. For all these reasons, I believe that in the short time Joe has been here, his transformational impact on LSU already makes him the greatest LSU Fighting Tiger of all time. Please have some fun and let us know what you think at https://www.facebook.com/
John Mathis
John Mathis directed the largest EPA remediation project following Hurricane Katrina. He has served as COO of several industrial and medical companies in the Gulf South. John has managed successful political efforts across America including a recent effort on behalf of Congressman Elect Dan Crenshaw in Texas where they were outspent 40 to 1.