The Sports Section: Mahalo Mariota: A Man, A Star, A Legend. Marcus Mariota looked right, avoided two defenders, and tossed a perfect touch pass to Keanon Lowe for the first score in Monday’s College Football Playoff National Championship. The crowd went crazy, Lowe celebrated with the same excitement he’s had since stepping on campus five years ago, and afterwards the quarterback was waiting to shake his teammate’s hand and embrace him. It seemed to be just another day at the office for the highly-touted quarterback. Another step in a storied career for the future first-round pick. There was belief among the masses that Oregon could finally shake the big game stigma that had hung with them over the last few seasons. That after bouncing back from a midseason defeat in which their Heisman winner was hobbled by a nagging knee injury and trouncing the defending National Champions in the Rose Bowl, the Ducks would be led to the proverbial promise land. For seniors such as Troy Hill, Erick Dargon, and Hroniss Grassu it was a chance to come full circle after watching Auburn lift that elusive trophy during their redshirt season. For the soft-spoken Mariota- who has a quiet, at times stoic personality that some pundits view as a weakness- it was the opportunity to put an exclamation point on arguably the most prolific career in the history of college football. What experts forgot to tell us was that the SEC style of play Urban Meyer had perfected while winning two titles at Florida moved north when the native Buckeye took one of college football’s most prestigious jobs following the 2011 season. Ohio State won in convincing fashion after Oregon was unable to capitalize on numerous Buckeye turnovers and Ezekiel Elliott seemingly did as he pleased behind the efforts of his offensive line. Mariota would leave disappointed as he was unable to carry the Ducks the way he so brilliantly had for the duration of the season. But at the end of the game, there was a moment of clarity for all who watched. After throwing an interception on the last play of his college career. After speaking of a humble upbringing and the sacrifice of his family during the most moving Heisman speech to date. After stating that he would gladly give the Heisman back if it meant winning the University’s first National Championship. Mariota looked to the sky, as if to give thanks one last time for all of his achievements, and shed a tear. In that moment, he showed why he is one of the most beloved players in the history of the sport. Beyond the statistics and records of which there are plenty, there was a sense that Mariota was just like everyone else. A common person among common people. Someone who could feel disappointment, and knows what its like to come up short of their goals. In reality, the unheralded recruit out of St. Louis School in Honolulu has represented Oregon in ways no other player before him could. The fact of the matter is that when Mariota took the reins of Mark Helfrich’s offense during his second season in Eugene, the Ducks were trying desperately to avoid a continued string of recent troubles they had experienced with players such as Cliff Harris and Jeremiah Masoli. And the man with a rocket attached to his right shoulder and laser focus stepped in admirably as he lead the Ducks to the greatest run in school history. The last three years have been a spectacle of epic proportions as countless times crowds have been witness to games that simply left people wondering how such impressive play could exist without bravado and showboating in a world of sports entertainment that has become largely centered around both. How such a humbled individual could lead a team with such a high national profile without ever losing the calm, collected demeanor which landed him in Eugene four years ago. Undoubtedly, Marcus will hear his name called during the first round of the NFL draft on April 30th. Many analysts have him at the top of their draft boards, saying he will be picked by either Tampa Bay or Tennessee. He will become the face of a franchise, and have an immediate chance to make an impact for his team. Whether or not he will have a successful NFL career remains to be seen, but one things for sure: he will be missed. Not only for the electrifying plays that brought the fans of Autzen Stadium to their feet each Saturday, or for the lightning speed at which he operated the offense. But for the countless hours he spent making Oregon a better place. For the kids at the local Boys & Girls Club that considered him less mentor and more friend. For the selflessness of providing what he could for those less fortunate than himself during every single day of his time in Eugene. Over the next three months, Mariota will face a barrage of tests, combines, workouts, and interviews as he prepares to move on to the next step in his football career. We can expect nothing less than the work ethic and professionalism with which he has handled each day during his time as a Duck, and should truly feel privileged to have witnessed such an awe-inspiring star mature before our eyes. That’s it folks. It’s official, we’ve seen the last of Marcus Mariota in the green and yellow of Oregon. Greatest role model ever? Possibly. Greatest Duck ever? Without question
Posted on: Mon, 19 Jan 2015 18:30:45 +0000
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