Aug. 2, 2013
By Greg Archuleta
UNM Assistant Director of Communications
The University of New Mexico football team received a pleasant interruption to its second day of fall camp Friday when `the epitome of Lobo football” addressed the team.
Former Lobo All-America defensive end and 12-year NFL linebacker Robin Cole visited the team and spoke some words of wisdom when Lobo coach Bob Davie gathered the players together during the middle of practice.
Ex-Lobo and former Pittsburgh Steeler great talks to the 2013 New Mexico Lobos during fall camp. |
“It’s not very often that we get a guy that epitomizes Lobo football to our practices,” Davie told the team in introducing Cole. “We always talk about building our brand. This guy is the brand.
Cole talked to the team for about 15 minutes, telling them about representing the program in the community, about giving 100 percent effort to better themselves and about their commitment to UNM.
“Remember, you’re here at UNM for you,” Cole said. “You’ve got to tell yourself, `I’ve got to be the best man I can be’ for yourself. Once you do that, then you’ll position yourself to help somebody else. You guys are part of something big here. Make the most of it.”
Cole was a third-team All-America selection his senior year for New Mexico in 1976. He still holds the school record for sacks with 17 in 1975.
Cole was a first-round draft choice of the Pittsburgh Steelers and went on to play 11 years, earning two Super Bowl rings (Super Bowl XIII and XIV).
The former businessman and current motivational speaker is in town to play in a Lobo Club golf tournament on Friday.
“This takes me back,” he said after he addressed the team, referring to watching practice. “I have a lot of good memories out here. I’m excited about what Coach Davie has done so far with the program. I can feel his heart and his spirit in the program.”
“The players seem to be moving well out here. The big thing is their commitment to the team. Their retention rate (no players that Davie and his staff have brought in have left the program) shows that. When you have that, a coach can work with you.”
I’m enjoying it, as long as I don’t have to run wind sprint!”
The Pittsburgh native said he intends to watch the team play at Pittsburgh on Sept. 14 at Heinz Field and will be in Albuquerque to watch the Lobos host UNLV for Homecoming on Sept. 28 on Branch Field at University Stadium.