Colt still a champion

By Kurt Wagner

The hit that knocked Texas All-American quarterback and Heisman runner-up Colt McCoy out of last Thursday's BCS National Championship game didn't look like anything special, certainly not from my section at least. None of the orange-clad Texas-faithful even batted an eye. Heck, even my wallet had taken a bigger hit that very afternoon to pay for parking.

But as the text messages started pouring in to fans at the game with updates from those watching on television at home, the Longhorns' worries became official: Colt, the NCAA's all-time winnningest quarterback and Texas captain, was in the locker room with a shoulder injury and would not return.

The game quickly lost some of its luster without Colt, despite the multitude of talent on the field. The Rose Bowl turf was peppered with future NFL-caliber players and All-Americans, most notably Alabama Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram.

Ingram was still the nation's most dominant running back and added two scores to go along with 116 rushing yards despite missing a good chunk of the second half with a minor leg injury of his own.

Texas wide receiver Jordan Shipley sliced and diced the Alabama defense for 122 yards and two touchdowns of his own.

But Ingram and the rest of these elite athletes were still no Colt McCoy.

Not many things in life are certain, but at college football's National Championship, you can come to expect that no matter what happens with the actual game, the show will remain spectacular.

The pre-game fireworks were still breathtaking and I think my ears are still ringing from the rush of four stealth bombers flying over the stadium as the last words of the National Anthem were belted out before the game.

The bands still marched at halftime, displaying their school colors with pride and soaking in the atmosphere of performing in front of over 90,000 fans.

But the game no longer felt like the National Championship. We were missing the country's best quarterback, the heart and soul of the Texas team and one of the most popular and well-respected college football players in the nation.

But as a choked-up Colt walked off the field for the final time in his Longhorn jersey and talked to reporters about the love he has for football and for his teammates, it became blatantly clear that no matter how big the stage, college football is still just a game and the players are still...well, kids.

Colt McCoy is not leaving Texas as a national champion. But he is leaving for the NFL as one of the college game's most successful quarterbacks, respected leaders and proven competitors.

Talk about leaving on top.