Player Quotes from Press Conference
Nov 15, 2005 | Football
Senior Defensive End Tearrius George
On the team’s feeling after Coach Snyder’s announcement...
“It was so much of a shock. For a second after he said it I still didn’t believe him. When I looked around the room everybody’s mouth was open looking at each other for some kind of reaction, but nobody knew how to react. At one point he made a joke saying I know some of you are probably happy,’ but he was the only one laughing. Everyone was else was sitting there thinking this is no time to joke, Coach.’ He announced it in a real honorable way. He told us before he told anybody and that meant a lot.”
On him being able to play for Coach Snyder...
“It meant a lot to me because of the fact that he made history here at K-State, and I guess I just saw history last night by him retiring. Just being able to be apart of what he built here and what he did over time was a great thing.”
Freshman Quarterback Allan Evridge
On the team’s reaction to Coach Snyder’s announcement...
“We were all really shocked. Nobody saw this coming. There’s no words to really explain it. We were all caught off guard. Everyone was just confused and had blank stares. We were looking around thinking what just happened?’ You’ve kind of witnessed history from what Coach Snyder has established and done here. But, it was an interesting day.”
On trying to focus on Saturday’s game...
“It’s very difficult to focus on the opponent, but I think Coach Snyder deserves our best effort. We are going to try to go out on Saturday and get him a victory let Coach Snyder go out the way he deserves.”
Senior Linebacker Ted Sims
On being able to play in Coach Snyder’s last game...
“He came here in 1989 as the head football coach and he made himself a coaching legend. I think it’s special to everyone to be able to play in his last game. Everybody on this team won’t forget that. It will be something you can tell your grandkids.”
On the emotions in the meeting room Monday night...
“It was really emotional. Everybody was in complete shock. We didn’t see this coming whatsoever. It’s something special to be able to play in his last game. His retirement has nothing to do with this season or past seasons. Coach Snyder isn’t quitting; he is retiring.”
Senior Offensive Linemen Jeromey Clary
On the moments after the announcement...
“Right afterwards I sat by my locker and tears ran down my face, the man was a legend he made some of my dreams come true. He opened doors for many young men here and gave us the chance to play football, and continued making our dreams come true. I honor and cherish the man. I can’t thank him enough for the things he has done for me.”
On the stadium being named the Bill Snyder Family Stadium...
“They are very well deserving of it. Coach Snyder is a man that completely devoted his life to this program. He had to make some sacrifices and his family had to make sacrifices, and that name couldn’t be more suiting than any other name I can think of.”
Junior Tailback Thomas Clayton
On his initial reaction to Coach Snyder’s retirement...
“Before he started speaking I had no idea what he was going to say, and then he told us he was retiring. Without question it came as a big shock and I never thought I would be here when it happened.
