Kentucky Sports Radio

Praising Randall Cobb is nothing new around here. In fact, it may have entered the KSR Ad Nauseam Hall of Fame, along with “Gets it,” “Pooping Ice Cream,” “BTI Sucks,” and countless others. But, there’s a reason those phrases are repeated often–they’re true. From the day he set foot on campus, it was obvious Randall was special. Over his first few years at Kentucky, we learned he wasn’t just special, he was unique. After his junior year and a memorable rookie year in Green Bay, he became a legend.

Cobb’s first year as a Packer was stellar. In his NFL debut, he was the breakout star, returning a kickoff 108 yards for a touchdown. In a position that had been mostly neutralized due to new rules, Cobb showed that return specialists can make a difference in the game, and his hard work paid off when he saw more time in the rotation of Green Bay’s deep receiving corps. But don’t think for a minute that he’s satisfied. In an interview with NFL.com, Cobb said he has big plans for his second year: better numbers and, oh yeah, winning the Super Bowl.

But, it’s not just Cobb’s talent that makes him a legend; he is one of those rare athletes whose skill on field is matched by his character off of it. Yesterday, while in Lexington to help his former teammates with football camps, Randall Cobb revealed another goal: getting his degree. During his time in Lexington, Cobb has been meeting with an academic advisor to find out which classes he needs to complete to graduate:

“It was a goal I set for myself, to graduate. Regardless of when that is, I’m going to graduate. It may be two years from now, it may be six years from now, but I’m gonna get it done.”

If that weren’t impressive enough, Cobb is giving back to the community that gave him a chance when not many would. Despite winning four straight state championships for Alcoa High and being named Mr. Football in Tennessee, UT just wasn’t interested in Cobb. Rich Brooks, however, was. In the first of many acts of loyalty, Cobb took a chance on the program that recruited him early, and it paid in spades. Cobb is spending part of his summer sharing that story with children in hopes it will spark a familiar fire:

“Just living out the dream and competing. That’s the two main things I want them to understand. How important competition is, how pushing against yourself and pushing against other people makes everybody better. Just following your dream to be able to become what you want to become.”

For the most important Kentucky football player since Tim Couch, words have never rung more true.