Gimme One'a 'Nem Nurr!

[AUChizad]

http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/05/gene_chizik_speaks_but_not_abo.html

Gene Chizik speaks, but not about football, at 100 Black Men of Greater Mobile gala
Published: Thursday, May 31, 2012, 9:23 PM

Auburn football coach Gene Chizik shakes hands with Bruce Brown before delivering his keynote speach at the 100 Black Men of Greater Mobile event Thursday May 31, 2012 at the Mobile Convention Center.(Press-Register, Chip English)

MOBILE, Alabama -- Auburn coach Gene Chizik made it clear that he wasn't in town to talk football on Thursday night. Instead, he talked of giving back to the community, empowering youth and making generational change.
       
"I could have stood up here and talked about football, but I would have cheapened this opportunity had I done that," Chizik told the crowd at the 12th annual gala for the 100 Black Men of Greater Mobile, Inc., at the Mobile Convention Center.

"Tonight wasn't about football or where you went to school. Did you go to Auburn? Did you go to Alabama? Alabama A&M? Alabama State? Tonight was about young people and a challenge for you to be involved. If you see a window of opportunity where you can help some young guy or some girl that needs your help, jump on it. Don't let it pass you by.

"If you have a neighbor, son, nephew or grandson that comes to play for Auburn, I don't know what he's going to get right now when it comes to wins and losses -- I have a pretty good idea what it's going to be but I can't guarantee it," he continued. "What I can guarantee is that if that same young man stays at Auburn from the time he's 18 to 22, he will return to you and your community a man because we'll work on him every day."

Focusing on the mission statement of the organization -- to give back to the community what it has given you -- Chizik said football is not who he is, it's what he does.
       
"A lot of times the outside world is measuring you by wins and losses," he said. "That's fair and I understand that. I get paid a lot of money to get a lot of wins. But I stand up here today at events like this to tell you that's not who I am. I'm a football coach and that's what I do. I'm a husband and I'm a father and I happen to be a coach. I don't live my life worried about what other people's perception is because of what my record is. What is important to me is what organizations like this is trying to accomplish, and your mission statement is very clear."

The evening included a silent auction including items that ranged from a helmet autographed by former Auburn star Bo Jackson to autographed photos of former Tigers quarterback Cam Newton and former Auburn basketball star Charles Barkley, and a photo of Alabama's 2011 national championship football team.

All the proceeds from the silent auction will be donated to the Governor's Emergency Relief Fund to support victims in tornado-stricken areas of the state.

The membership of the 100 Black Men of America includes professionals, educators and civic leaders of all races who seek to serve as positive role models for young people.

The Mobile chapter was the first founded in the state and it operates the Phoenix Program, an alternative school designed to provide educational opportunities for students who are at risk of dropping out of school and face expulsion or suspension.

Under the program, students are urged to stay in school and modify their behavior. Since inception, the program has helped thousands of youngsters and awarded over $250,000 in scholarships.

This probably infuriates bammers.

[Tiger Wench]

"What I can guarantee is that if that same young man stays at Auburn from the time he's 18 to 22, he will return to you and your community a man because we'll work on him every day."

Not "He'll be an NFL star and make momma a shitpot of money, aight?"

I love The Chin.  Completely and with all my heart.  He gets it.

[JR4AU]

"What I can guarantee is that if that same young man stays at Auburn from the time he's 18 to 22, he will return to you and your community a man because we'll work on him every day."

Not "He'll be an NFL star and make momma a shitpot of money, aight?"

I love The Chin.  Completely and with all my heart.  He gets it.

And the bammer spin: "42-14, Got 14?, If y'all and your coached only cared more about winning football games and championships, you wouldn't be a perennial 6-6 program." 

[Tiger Wench]

And the bammer spin: "42-14, Got 14?, If y'all and your coached only cared more about winning football games and championships, you wouldn't be a perennial 6-6 program."

So?

Fuck 'em.

[Buzz Killington]

That's my nurra...

[JR4AU]

So?

Fuck 'em.

I you!