By Jeff Caves
Dave Harbison and I interviewed Brett Rypien’s parents, Tim and Julie, before the Boise State – Utah State football game on the pre game show. We discussed Brett’s toughness. Tim said that when Brett takes a rough hit on the field he doesn’t want anybody to know he is hurt and gets up immediately. Julie said that when Brett was 3 years old Jim sat Brett in his car seat after youth hockey and told him to quit skating like a fairy princess.
Jim said Brett was actually closer to 5 years old. He’s been tough ever since.
He discussed Rypien’s recruitment and said that one thing they liked in Bryan Harsin was his toughness. It is one of the reasons they trusted him with their son.
Looks like about 100 other parents made the same decision.
Toughness starts at the top with Bryan Harsin. Working seven days a week for 4 straight months is tough. Talking to your team through the media and staying positive when things go bad is tough. Believing your team is more physical and then asking them to show it in beating Utah State 33-24 to make your 3rd MWC Championship game in 5 years is True Grit.
Boise State had gouged Utah State via the pass for 3 quarters. 75% of the yards they gained through 3 quarters was via the air. But, it was only a 3 point lead for Boise State and Utah State was hitting big pass plays to move the ball into scoring position.
It was time for Boise State to run the ball, kill the clock and go slaughterhouse on the Aggies.
The Broncos ran the ball 18 of 23 plays in the 4th quarter. That’s tough. Especially when you only gained 3.4 yards per carry the first 3 quarters. Alexander Mattison running the ball 17 times in that 4th quarter is really tough. Running the ball 8 and 6 consecutive plays is True Grit.
Brett Rypien taking a targeting penalty shot to the head on a bang bang play and getting up is tough.Throwing an 11 yard completion on the very next play is True Grit.
35,960 fans showing up to a 8:25 pm game in 36 degree and dropping temperatures is tough. Screaming at the top of your lungs to force Utah State into 2 straight false start penalties at about 11:30 pm is True Grit.
Tyson Maeva taking a blind side hit on a kick return and struggling to get to the sideline but going back in the game at linebacker is tough. Finishing the game with a fumble recovery and getting the wind knocked out of you is True Grit.
Harsin never quits on his team publicly thus his team never quits. He is relentless in his pursuit of maximum effort and focus on the task at hand. He is THAT guy. He chooses to be respected rather than liked. Why bother being popular when anybody can have a goal and focus on it’s pursuit?
True Grit.
