Quentin, We're Proud of You

Auburn’s Quentin Groves was selected in the second round of the NFL draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday, the 52nd selection overall.

One day last year - about this time of the year - I went to Cary Woods Elementary School to check my son out early. I don't remember why.

I noticed a big guy sitting in the waiting area playing with a phone, or Gameboy or some electronic thing. I thought he must be some one's brother or dad.

I told Ms. Mitchell that I needed to get Foster and she got on the intercom to his room and asked Ms. Cope to send Foster up front that he was being checked out.

The big guy stood up, walked over to me and asked me if I was Foster Denney's mother. I looked way up until my neck hurt - and said, "Umm maybe? Depends. . ."

He chuckled and said, "Hi, my name is Quentin Groves. I spoke to Foster's class today. He gave me his autograph."

We both cracked up. I shook his HUGE hand. He told me that Foster was a trip and I told him that was nothing I didn't already know.

Foster walks in - they share a "we've been brothers forever" kind of handshake. Quentin tells Foster to stay cool. Foster says, "always, man, always!"

You know, Quentin could have left Auburn and probably gone higher in the draft last year - but he was speaking to fifth graders instead - making them feel good about themselves.

We believe in you, Quentin, and are very proud of you. We know you will always do well because you have what all good Auburn folks have - Character.