Mark Richt and UGA recruits Jay Rome and Malcolm Mitchell pay tribute to deceased Valdosta High School football player (UPDATED)
UGA coach Mark Richt, along with two of his top football recruits, paid a special tribute to a deceased Valdosta High School football player (AJC file photo)
At least 10 people have forwarded me the same email this week about UGA coach Mark Richt and two of the state’s elite high school football players, the UGA-bound tandem of Jay Rome and Malcolm Mitchell, participating in a special tribute to a Valdosta High School student who died last month. Maybe you had it sent your way or saw it somewhere posted on Facebook.
Well it turns out that this email forward (author unknown) is true, said Rome’s mother, LaVerne Rome, who is the District Parent Involvement Coordinator for Lowndes County Schools.
James Eunice, 17, drowned while duck hunting in a nearby lake on Jan. 15 and his body was found two weeks later, according to the Valdosta Daily Times. Eunice was an honors student with a 4.0 GPA and played football this past season at Valdosta High with Rome and Mitchell. His funeral was held last Saturday.
In the email forward which has been making the rounds to many inboxes, it was said that Richt sent a letter of condolence to the family which was read at the funeral by Rome. Among other things, it was said that Richt acknowledged in the letter: how he had been contacted by Eunice about his plans to “walk on” with Georgia’s football team next year — and that Eunice had been added to the roster and officially “made the team.”
Then it goes on to say that Eunice’s family was presented a Georgia No. 23 football jersey with “EUNICE” on the back of it and “those gathered at the funeral … stood, applauded and cried.”
UGA sports information director Claude Felton could not be reached for comment. However, Rome’s mother told the AJC “for the most part, [the email letter] is fairly accurate. The only thing I saw incorrect was the statement that Jay read the personal letter to the family from Mark Richt. Jay did speak, but the Pastor actually read the letter. Jay and Malcolm Mitchell presented the jersey to the family.”
You can read the rest the email forward here.
On behalf of the AJC, many thoughts and prayers to the Eunice family for their loss. I can’t imagine anything worse than the death of a child.
UPDATED: The forwarded email was copied from this Opinion column called “Winning isn’t everything” by Randy Young in the Thomasville Times-Enterprise. (Click here to read)
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185 comments Add your comment
sissyuga
February 11th, 2011
7:32 pm
Wow, how thoughtful and heartfelt. What a special way to pay tribute to a precious child.
memphisdawg
February 11th, 2011
7:41 pm
The man is pure class. He actually took the time during the week of the Florida game in 07 (the touchdown celebration game) to write my dying father a letter. At the time my dad was going through chemo and his spirits were down. The letter told him that the Georgia family were praying for him and that he should keep fighting. Finish the Drill. It meant so much to him and for a little while he gave that cancer hell.
Tech Man
February 11th, 2011
7:41 pm
God bless CMR and God bless the family
ALLDAWG
February 11th, 2011
8:26 pm
God Bless this family. Burying a child isn’t the natural order
and these folks need to be lifted up.
tell me again
February 11th, 2011
8:30 pm
If CMR can have 8 good years out of 10 every decade in the toughest conference in the country and be the man he is – I’ll take that any day of the week. This story cuts to the core of what we SHOULD be concerned with….real life……not wins and losses. If my son were a div. 1 recruit there is no where and no one I would rather have coach him period, end of story. I know football is a business and it is all about the money – but this article just shines the spotlight on how totally screwed up our priorities and attitudes have become in this day and age. It’s nice to win…It’s essential to live a good life and to become the human being you are capable of being. My hat is off to CMR……..DGD!
wdm
February 11th, 2011
8:32 pm
Mark Richt is a good guy. He is an awesome coach. UGA administration would be foolish to let a bunch of snout nosed, 18 to 30 year old over testeroned, fair weathered fans and jealous sportswriters run off the likes of Coach Richt.
Firebrand
February 11th, 2011
8:34 pm
How has this not made national news? I want to thank the gentleman from Thomasville for bringing this out into the light for everyone to learn from. I am a grown man and really not a big Georgia fan, but damn, that made me tear up. I cannot believe you idiots that actually can say that he ‘better win’ or else he’s done. Did you not just read that?? UGA people, you better be holding on to a man like that with all you got in you. There ain’t many left like that.
Sherrie
February 11th, 2011
8:34 pm
This is the reason we want Mark Richt as our coach. What a wonderful man and mentor to these young men although some do not always follow his leadership……but that is their choice. Love ya. Coach!!!
wally
February 11th, 2011
8:39 pm
I foR one hve made some very bad remarks about the coaches of the Georgia Football team after CMR remarks ont the death of this young gentleman I must above all apologize for the statements I made. Asking for the firing of coach Richt and Mike Bobo. I ask the Bulldog family for forgiveness. Let us forget the past and have a great 2011 footbaall season whether we win or lose. GO DOGS
not a tare
February 11th, 2011
8:41 pm
I bet if these two youngsters had not of signed with the puppie dawgs, Richt would not have given this youngster one thought.
Tares are everywhere, especially in Valdosta.
jumbeauxtiger
February 11th, 2011
8:45 pm
An awesome gesture and a class act by Coach Richt.
Geaux Tigers
Ole Yeller Dawg
February 11th, 2011
8:47 pm
In this day and age, with so much corruption around, this restores my faith in my fellow man that we have a coach (Mark Richt) who is not afraid to display his beliefs while being called-out by the nonbelievers and naysayers!
The article (by Randy Young) was very well written and spot on……” Winning isn’t everthing”…..it’s really sad that a young life had to be lost (James Eunice) to teach us this lesson and awaken the Bulldog Nation .
My condolences go out to the Eunice family……you have lost a son, a brother, a loved one. I can only imagine your pain. I for one, will always remember James Eunice (DGD) as the one who gave his all, to enlighten and remind me that “winning isn’t everything”, I can only hope the rest of the state of Georgia will get the message too!
I salute you, Coach Mark Richt, for a job well done “Sir”!!!!
For the bone heads out there who don’t quite get it…….I forgive you, for you do not know, what you do.
Kramer
February 11th, 2011
8:53 pm
I would love 5 minutes with 5150. You may not always be able to teach respect but I bet I could beat it out of him. Scum of a human being.
dawgs10
February 11th, 2011
8:59 pm
reading all of the heart warming statements about Coach Richt causes me to smile and feel good about our coach. and then People like columndawg and phil posts something stupid. there is always “that person”.
Hit A Single
February 11th, 2011
9:03 pm
Just another example of what many Coaches like Coach Richt do in some tough times. Coaches touch the lives of so many young people, but they are criticized and bashed by people that don’t have a clue. My thoughts and prayers to the family and the Valdosta community. And I have said it from day one that Coach Dooley made one great hire in the hiring of Coach Richt. Thank you for everything you do Coach Richt.
Barkin'Dog
February 11th, 2011
9:47 pm
I wasn’t going to mention it until I read other posts about Coach Richt’s kindnesses. I wrote him about 3 years ago when my Navy son was in the Persian Gulf on the USS Harry S. Truman. He was a little down, and homesick, so I asked Coach to write him a note of encouragement, and he did. My son couldn’t believe it… it meant the world to him to get a letter from his favorite coach. I can’t thank him enough.
Snoop Dawg
February 11th, 2011
10:03 pm
Mark Richt is obviously a very nice man. He is also a very good recruiter.
These are nice, but we pay him three million dollars a year to be a good coach. You can buy a bus load of preachers and salesmen for $3M. What we are paying the money for is for a top notch college football coach. He is not a good coach.
UGA will not win another SEC championship as long as Mark Richt is the head coach.
Firebrand
February 11th, 2011
10:04 pm
You know what, I’ve been thinking about this thing, and Mark Richt reminds me of one of those old generals who was so rooted in his faith that he had no hesitation putting himself directly in the line of fire because he knew deep down that because whatever happened was part of His plan and that meant it was all going to be allright. He’s the kind of man that historically foot soldiers have wanted to lead them into war. An old fashioned kind of faith and leadership by example. I ain’t gonna say what team I follow because I’d catch heck for it, but I’d be honored to have my kid play for this man.
Skitty Fritty
February 11th, 2011
10:06 pm
If my 11 year old son gets the opporunity to play College football then I know who will get my endorsement.
Firebrand
February 11th, 2011
10:08 pm
Hey Snoop, did you know that Richt is the winningest coach percentage wise that UGA has ever had? Better than even the legendary Dooley, who would’ve been an average coach if somebody named Herschel hadn’t come along. If UGA gets rid of Richt he’ll be swooped up by an even bigger program in a heartbeat, and he won’t be the one coming off looking like an idiot in the process either.
Snoop Dawg
February 11th, 2011
10:10 pm
Any of you blathering hankies old enough to remember the movie “Marjoe”???
Lance
February 11th, 2011
10:18 pm
My wife and I are season ticket holders, but we aren’t huge contributors or anything. My wife’s brother played for UGA under Ray Goff. In 2003 she was in an auto accident and lay in a coma for 10 days before being admitted to the Shepherd Center for 10 weeks of rehabilitation. Mark Richt wrote her a detailed letter giving her words of encouragement as she participated in her therapy. He wrote some things that he said he tells his players when they are beaten down and tired. An autographed football followed a few weeks later. He didn’t have to do all of that. We have never even personally met him. He had nothing to benefit from doing what he did. He is just an unbelievable human being.
Snoop Dawg
February 11th, 2011
10:21 pm
Hi there Brotha Firebrand.
Listen, what if Richt’s record over the past ten years is better than any other UGA coach’s? What about his record since Donnan’s recruits matriculated? Or after Van Gorder left after Richt didn’t give him a decent raise? The past four years have shown a steady decline each year in almost every single statistic until we are now cellar dwellers with a losing record. Those are the facts.
Georgia is such a rich pool of high school football talent, only an idiot could not win at the state’s flagship univerisity with such a football tradition (7th best winning record, 4th best bowl record).
Ever heard the old adage that the numbers don’t have to be right, but they have to add up? Richt’s numbers don’t add up. Any objective analysis shows that he is a substandard coach, leader, disciplinarian, or strategist of football. That being said, he is an honorable religious man who has shown that he can recruit talent.
He has demonstrated that he cannot coach up raw talent.
So, when you add it up, I do not agree with you that he will be “swooped up by an even bigger program.” He would be suited for a mid-level team in the ACC, however or something similar.
The bottom line is that Richt cannot get us to the promised land. No more championships for UGA while he is head coach.
I don’t know about you, but I love the Dawgs. I consider them as symbolic of me. I have worked hard and demand nothing less than the best. So should the Bulldog Nation. Richt isn’t it.
If so many UGA graduates are OK with perpetuating a mediocre program while paying Richt about $3 Million a year–about $100 per year for every student at the UGA– then I believe that a lot of diplomas need to be recalled, because these folks evidently didn’t learn very much while in college in Athens.
Firebrand
February 11th, 2011
10:33 pm
Snoop, I think your love for the FOOTBALL Dawgs is clouding your vision of what is a high priority and what ain’t. I am not a Georgia fan, per se, but I am a fan of doing the right thing. You have a winner at UGA on AND off the field, and if you’d trade him for ANY other coach in the SEC right now you’d prove the point of the author of this story. The sense of what really matters has been so screwed because of the shallowness of Americans in 2011 that it really makes you wonder how close to hell our handbasket really is.
Tom in ATL
February 11th, 2011
10:34 pm
Snoop -
Perpetuating mediocrity? UGA went 6-7, and 8-5 the year before that. BUT Perpetuately for 8 years prior Mark Richt led this same team into the top 10 year after year after year. Did he suddenly forget how to coach? It’s alot easier to build, then sustain. That’s why Nick Saban and the like jump ship every 4/5 years. If you commit to something long-term – guess what – you’re going to have ups and downs. And it’s sure easy to kick someone when they are down isn’t it?
What happened to Urban Myer when he lost Teebow? Spurrier just won his first SEC EAST title in what – 7/8 years at USC? Auburn just won the National title – but they have lost 4 of their last 5 games to UGA. The son don’t shine on the same Dawgs Arse everyday. Grow up and quit whining when the going gets tough.
John '90
February 11th, 2011
10:35 pm
Like several others posted, I too teared up reading this piece. Incredible. Makes me even prouder to have MR as the coach at my alma mater. He lives the life of a follower of Jesus Christ. I work in the news business. Reading between the lines, this story came out because it had to. The truth always does. It’s beyond me how people can wedge the woes of the team on the field into such an inspirational story that speaks so much more to life, the fragile nature of it and the depth of a person’s heart. Prayers for the Eunice family. This is a clarion call. May God Bless.
Bama Fan #2
February 11th, 2011
10:36 pm
Mark Richt is a great guy and I wish Georgia wins every football game this season!!!
Just_Another_Man
February 11th, 2011
10:46 pm
What a display of class by someone I consider to be one of the best. As a parent I cant even imagine the feelings that the Eunice family is feeling. I can say this, as one of the members of the law enforcement community who was part of the recovery effort, I’ve never met a better group of people than the Eunice Family. They were so gracious, loving, and kind at a moment when I know their hearts were breaking. They were trying to comfort others in the midst of their toughest hour. It makes me, a grown man, cry like a baby. What a well deserved gesture to the family and to the memory of a wonderful young man.
Apostle
February 11th, 2011
11:14 pm
There are more important things in life than football.A very nice gesture on Richt’s part.
macrotech
February 11th, 2011
11:35 pm
Good form Coach Richt….good form!
BobbyDodd21/20
February 12th, 2011
12:03 am
Way back to Dynamite Goodloe in Valdosta, everybody whomever jocked up heard of Valdosta,..to this matter by Coach Richt, the families will never forget the Coach’ and others efforts..RIP
Snoop Dawg
February 12th, 2011
12:09 am
Tom in ATL:
If your theory of it being so hard to sustain a championship program, then UGA should follow a strategy of changing out coaches every 4-5 years. That’s what is expected in any other profession where such an obscene salary is given to those at the top.
Don’t patronize me. I don’t know who you are or what you have accomplished, but I would advise you to honor our tradition and demand better coaching than Mark Richt has given. He has cheated a lot of Georgia talent. You might say just look at all the successful NFL players. I say there should be many, many more. The recruiting ratings support me, not you Tom.
So get a hold of your emotions, get your head screwed on straight, swear off the Koolaid, and use your brains if you value your univerisity’s winning heritage. That is, if you actually have a degree from UGA.
hind tit
February 12th, 2011
12:32 am
After reading all these blogs for the last three years a movie came to mind called Facing The Giants. I think it was about a high school football team and it’s coach and the troubles and trails they had to endure on and off the field. Mark Richt had a small but very moving part addressing and encouraging the coach and team. I’m ashamed to say looking back over the last three years Richt has been Facing The Giants called the bulldog nation. He’s been ridiculed,slandered,called stupid called a thief and every unthinkable,hateful thing that could be said about a human being yet he’s never fired back or said anything bad about anybody or anything said about him. No one held him down and shoved money in his pocket against his will. If you have never seen this movie i recommend watching as it will leave a lasting imprison on anyone that watches it. An encouraging word to the coach and team I’m sure would be greatly appreciated.
christophorm
February 12th, 2011
1:14 am
Even though it’s right to pay players a salary for risking their health, for life, so fans and drunks can cheer and eat chicken wings,CMR would never do it because it’s breaking the rules, even though some do and it’s still cheating, as they hold up the NC trophy.Duck hunting has been the cause of death of atleast two young lives in south georgia, in the last few months.when CMR figures out this kid nick marshall from wilcox co. is alot like charlie ward talent wise, it’s going to be on.
BDJ
February 12th, 2011
1:52 am
@ Bulldawg: “You perfectly articulated my thoughts. CMR is a great man – period. But he is also THE football coach of THE Univ of Georgia. As a fellow alum, I expect to win, every time my team steps on the field – period.
And that’s all there is to it.”
What kind of a morally-deficient idiot are you and those like you who would insert your inane thoughts about winning football games in a thread about a coach and some players trying to console a family who lost a child/brother/cousin/friend/what-have-you.
You and your kind make me want to vomit. It’s a freaking game. Your whole ego is lamenated to the team of your choice’s win/loss record.
Get a freaking clue, loser. You aren’t one of MY fellow alums, that’s for sure. The folks I went to school with have bigger brains and hearts than that. I love UGA football as much as any alum who ever set foot in a classroom at UGA, but it is only a game that lasts for 60 minutes. After that, it’s back to chopping wood and carrying water….
Let go of the win-loss record and get a real life.
dawgman
February 12th, 2011
2:27 am
NOBODY had questioned cmr’s faith, his strength as a Christian, and the genuine “goodness” that he possesses. if I was starting a Sunday School class he would be my “dream teacher”.
like it or not, he is judged a failure or a success by w’s.
if we lose the opener next season, let’s see how far this good will toward cmr goes.
#5 win% among active coaches
February 12th, 2011
2:29 am
Enter your comments hereSnoop who are you going to get better cmr only problem was being too loyal to martinez fixed then installing new defense last yr i think you were the guy who took your ball and went home in the middle of the game almost feel sorry for you almost
HD27
February 12th, 2011
3:40 am
I know Richt doesn’t do stuff like this for publicity, but I couldn’t believe after reading this article this morning, that it made ESPN tonight. Goes to show you can’t judge people, because I was wrong when I said a story like this this would never make ESPN. HA! God bless you CMR, and God bless you too Bill for the great post! KUDOS!
Norwegian Bulldog
February 12th, 2011
7:31 am
Thanks coach Richt, for representing UGA so well, you are a class act.
Sugar Hill Dawg
February 12th, 2011
7:50 am
As the dad of three (21, 19 & 15), I find it impossible to express my sadness for the family of James Eunice. The gesture by CMR was truly meaningful. I have no doubt it brought a degree of comfort to the young man’s family. I coached in Gwinnett County during my teaching career – until you’ve walked in the man’s shoes, you have no idea how close the relationships become between coach and player. I still have contact with many of my formers players – I’m glad I had some measure of influence in their lives. Keep up the good work Coach!
birddawg
February 12th, 2011
8:04 am
CMR may not be a National Champion at UGA ( yet ) but he has always been a National Champ when it comes to being CLASSY. Go Dawgs.
If UR smart
February 12th, 2011
8:06 am
Nice. Now that’s how you build a program. CMR is to be commended.
wolfbait67
February 12th, 2011
8:16 am
took a while to read as I wiped my eyes………damn good article and damn good man……..AMEN
Nick
February 12th, 2011
8:37 am
Mark Richt is so classy. What a class act. I’m sure he’ll have the backs of all incoming student athletes when they get arrested and he lets them keep playing because having a good football program is what will save his job.
This isn’t even the first classy thing Richt has done this week. When Wayshaun Ealey didn’t show up for a punishment run, in addition to having been arrested previously, Richt went ahead and suspended him in the meaningless early offseason instead of kicking him off the team. THAT IS CLASS PEOPLE. You can bet Wayshaun Ealey will be in the backfield on Saturdays, even with his impressive track record of arrests and insubordination. Class.
Keep the program classy Mark.
Terry
February 12th, 2011
8:55 am
Nick, I guess you never do anything wrong, next time you make a mistake at work, maybe, they should just fire you, instead of giving you a chance to do better.
Nick
February 12th, 2011
8:58 am
If I got arrested and my job asked me to do something as an act of repentance, and I didn’t show up, I would be fired on the spot.
I do plenty of things wrong. Getting arrested isn’t one of them. I don’t because I know there are consequences…Unless you A. play for the University of Georgia football program and B. are good.
UGAgirl Fan
February 12th, 2011
9:10 am
TO bulldawg59 :”It involves keeping the players in line. And it involves being an exceptional judge of talent, both on the staff and on the field. No one can argue that Richt has not been overall successful during his time in Athens. But that level of success has been trending downward in recent years. It first began about midway through his tenure here where every year, between the bowl game and the next season, 5-10 players would get in trouble and end up being suspended, kicked off the team, or transferring.”
Response- He cannot babysit them 24/7 he can only give them the rules and regulations and then penalties for breaking them, it is of THE PLAYERS free will to do what they want! That is the reason for players being suspended, kicked off the team or transferring- DUH?!!!!!! CMR was doing his job-enforcing it! It was the player’s fault not the Coach’s, unless you expect him to hire a Babysitter for them, Players have a freewill. Just like you are given a Drivers License and you are given limits to follow, it is your choice- or you deal with the law if you do not!
CMR is making the changes and I have supported him every season, no matter if it was winning or losing because I believe in him, UGA is not bigger than him as you quoted. He has what it takes and will do it but with bandwagon fans, which you seem like that do not support him unless it is a winning season, where do the players and him get inspiration from? I mean Fans, true Fans like myself do not jump ship and we encourage and send positive suggestions-not “you need to be fired”!!!!! What he did with that letter was awesome and incredible and will go along way in a positive direction. Just saying my opinion which is I support CMR and always will, he is a blessing and I believe in him and the 2011 season-GO UGA!!!!!!!!
kershdawg
February 12th, 2011
9:16 am
In an era where winning seems to be all that’s important, as a graduate of UGA, I am so thankful to have a coach representing our great university that truly cares about people. Always a fan of you and what you represent CMR! I am so sorry for your loss Eunice family!
mcdaviddawg
February 12th, 2011
9:20 am
While everyone is celebrating how wonderful this is, and it is a nice thing for sure. What I want to hear is some special effort for what he is paid 3 mil . There the story is far from complete. HE’s had a great year of spinning for which he’s tops. The recruiting now given as heavily due to Bobo as Richt spent most of the recruiting season allowing the wonderful recruits to visit him in his office. The man con’t or won’t coach and no amount of bing the good “preacher” will change that. Fire Richt. Thank goodness this should be his last year. And yes I would rather have Saban.
BILLY JACK
February 12th, 2011
9:28 am
NICK-THE WORLD WOULD BE ALOT BETTER WITHOUT PEOPLE LIKE YOU-FEEL FREE TO JUMP OFF THE NEAREST BRIDGE-IM SURE YOU ARE SOME BITTER TECHIE WITH NO LIFE.FOR YOU TO CHIME IN ON THESE 2 PLAYERS AND THIS GREAT MAN SHOWS WHAT KIND OF PERSON YOU ARE.