Rewarding end to college career
Texas A&M star DE Garrett spreads joy at hospitals ahead of ceremony, draft
Following a long conversation with a football star on Friday afternoon at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, 12-year-old patient Damon Billeck had a final question for Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett: “Can you give me a hug?” Minutes later, young Damon explained to a visitor why he requested an embrace from a hulking man who spent the past three seasons in college wrapping up lesseager quarterbacks.
“He’s really positive,” Damon said, smiling. “I like that.”
Garrett spent close to four hours on Friday spreading his positivity to young cancer patients at M.D. Anderson and Texas Children’s Hospital. He’s in Houston as one of four finalists for the Rotary Lombardi Award, presented on Saturday night at the Hobby Center.
The other finalists, who hadn’t yet made it to Houston, are Louisville quarterback and 2016 Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson, Alabama defensive end Jonathan Allen and Michigan linebacker Jabrill Peppers.
The Lombardi Award has shifted from
only linemen and linebackers over its previous 46 years to any player “best exemplifying the discipline, virtue and wisdom that defined Vince Lombardi’s exceptional brand of leadership.”
Garrett, who collected 32½ sacks over his three seasons for the Aggies, projects as the No. 1 overall selection of the NFL draft, which would be a first for A&M. But there’s one place Garrett said he won’t be when the draft starts in Philadelphia on April 27: Philadelphia.
“I want everybody who has affected my life positively and who helped build me to where I am now to be a part of this big moment in my life,” Garrett said. “There are so many people who have gone into making me the melting pot that I am, and they deserve to be a part of this.”
Friends and family
That’s why Garrett, who bypassed his senior season at A&M, said he’ll watch the draft in his Arlington home, enveloped by family and friends.
“And not be in a big, old suit and walking up on stage,” Garrett said. “I know that’s a fantastic moment, but I just want to be with my family and friends and enjoy that night with them.”
Two years ago, quarterback Jameis Winston wasn’t present at the draft to hug NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after Tampa Bay made him the No. 1 selection, but Winston had been rutted in controversy late in his Florida State tenure.
For his part, Garrett earned a reputation at A&M as one of the sharpest and most thoughtful players in recent memory. His mother, Audrey, said that’s the way she and his father, Lawrence, raised their youngest child.
“Being a good person,” Audrey said as she watched her 6-5 muscular son happily interact with pint-sized patients, “is more important than being drafted.”
Garrett, quiet and a bit shy by nature, visited the hospitals with Miss Texas USA Nancy Gonzalez, who started the tours wearing her sash and having her crown available when needed. A&M official Brad Marquardt, who accompanied Garrett to the Lombardi goings-on, handed Garrett his A&M jersey to put on and kidded, “If you don’t wear this, Miss Texas will get all of the attention.”
Garrett, dressed in street clothes at the time, laughed and responded, “That’s fine by me.”
When Garrett saw Gonzalez’s crown, he added with a wink, “I should have brought a football.”
‘Do what you love’
Garrett was at his best on Friday in one-on-one visits with the children. While it made for a much longer tour than anticipated, he spent precious time with each one, asking their interests and sharing his, in finding common ground with every patient. One youngster told Garrett he wanted to attend A&M and be an engineer.
“Do what you love,” Garrett responded. “I love taking care of people, and I get to do that through football.”
Patient Erick Reyes admitted to Garrett that soccer is his favorite sport, but he was still appreciative of a bedside visit.
“Football isn’t my No. 1,” Reyes told Garrett, “but I know who you are.”
Garrett’s father watched with pride as his son took his time and care on the visits, often falling behind while chatting as the accompanying group finally moved on.
“These are the things that make me happy,” said Lawrence, like Myles a strapping man in great shape. “Myles is like his mother, he’s never met a stranger. But he’s not as loquacious; he’s more of a homebody. That’s why he wants to watch the draft at home. Putting on a suit and all of that flash?
“He just wants to stay at home, eat crab legs and have his family and friends close by.”
Recognizing strength
On Friday, all Myles wanted was to visit with children, and they came away with an autograph and a personal written message. But even more importantly, the kids got private and genuine interaction with a football star.
“All of these things they’re going through, and they still have smiles on their faces,” Garrett said in awe of his new fans. “No matter how tough football gets, you’ll never know how hard what it is they’re going through, and how strong they are every single day.”