Erk Russell's Retirement Speech & Video Credits

Erk Russell's retirement speech from Georgia Southern on August 31, 1990. He had just completed a perfect 15-0 season and won the 1989 National Championship. It was his third championship with the Eagles.
About Erk Russell:
Erk Russell was an American football coach who is best known for his time as the head coach of the Georgia Southern Eagles football team from 1981 to 1989. During his tenure, the Eagles won three NCAA Division I-AA Football Championships.
Before joining Georgia Southern, Russell was an assistant coach at the University of Georgia under Vince Dooley, where he was known for his aggressive and innovative defensive schemes. He helped lead the Bulldogs to the 1980 national championship.
Russell was highly successful at Georgia Southern, turning the program into a national powerhouse in Division I-AA. He also helped to establish the school's reputation for its unique option-based offensive scheme and its distinctive "Grits Blitz" defensive scheme.
Erk Russell was also known for his unorthodox and motivational coaching methods, which included using slogans and mottos to inspire his players, such as "Play like a champion today." He was also known for his charismatic personality and his ability to connect with his players.
Russell retired from coaching in 1989 but remained a beloved figure in the Georgia Southern community and in the world of college football. He passed away in 2006, but his legacy lives on at Georgia Southern and in the many players, coaches and fans who were inspired by him.