AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2005 > August > 26 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBall Sr. worked on son’s psyche early at Tech
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Terence Moore
As difficult as this may be, it’s time for those in the Yellow Jacket Nation to get a grip, but not around the neck of Reggie Ball, the Georgia Tech quarterback who continues as a punching bag for the naïve. I’ve seen Ball’s father, Reggie Sr., and he is a big reason (we’re talking a really, really big reason) why this relentlessly silly pounding of Reggie Jr. could become hazardous to your health.
There was last season, for instance, when Tech struggled against Virginia at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Around the first or second interception by Reggie Jr. (hey, I never said he was perfect), the father heard somebody in his vicinity yell toward his son, “Reggie, you’re an idiot.�
That’s the clean version.
“I just touched the guy, and I said, ‘Listen. I’m not going to let you talk about my baby with me right here, because I will tear the whole end of this stadium apart,’â€? said Reggie Sr., 40, an ex-Marine who looks the role. He also was a three-time world champion at power lifting before he went into law enforcement. Now he’s an athletic trainer for a downtown gym and the ultimate protector of Reggie Jr., the oldest of his six children (five sons and a daughter).
Mostly, the elder Ball seeks to make sure that Reggie Jr. is the ultimate protector of his own mind against his many detractors who just don’t get it. Yes, he has slung more interceptions than touchdowns. Yes, he joined coach Chan Gailey among the Jackets most responsible last season for their meltdown near the end against Georgia, when they forgot that fourth down always comes after third down.
Still, there is everything else involving Ball, and it’s pretty good. You have his ACC Rookie of the Year honor after a stellar career at Stephenson High School. You have his dramatic comebacks, highlighted by his pumping life into Tech at Death Valley with three touchdown passes in the last five minutes against Clemson. You have his MVP award after he helped Tech smash Syracuse in a bowl. You have the likelihood of more nice moments than bad ones from Ball this season, since he already has started a slew of games for the Jackets and remains only a junior.
Here’s the big thing, though. Well, make that the really big thing. You have Reggie Jr.’s proud, supportive and big (we’re talking about really, really big) father who began working at developing his son’s psyche at Tech in a hurry. Like seconds after Reggie Jr.’s second college game ever. It also happened to be one of Tech’s biggest upsets ever. We’re talking two seasons ago, when the Jackets dumped Auburn so emphatically that the crowd threatened to carry Reggie Jr. from Bobby Dodd Stadium to the far side of the moon.
Reggie Sr. wasn’t impressed. He slid through the masses who were chanting, “Re-ggie, Re-ggie, Re-ggie,� and when he reached the smiling son, the expressionless father shouted, “You better take the boos just like you’re taking these cheers, because you’re going to screw up. You’re going to have to have enough character to realize that, with every bit of laughter, there are tears.�
In reflection, Reggie Sr. said, “I told my son all of that, because I knew in my heart that things would change.�
What didn’t change was the abuse that the younger Ball takes from his siblings and closest friends. “Sometimes it hurts, but it’s the truth, and I listen to their feedback,� Reggie Jr. said, referring mostly to the impromptu film sessions at the Stone Mountain home of Catherine Geiger, Reggie Sr.’s former wife. The elder Ball laughed, saying, “It’s vicious. So when you have all of these people who really don’t mean that much to him saying what they say, it’s not going to affect him.�
Well, not as much. Although the son claims otherwise (“I don’t care what people say or write, because I’m more concerned with my own high expectations�), the father said the son was distraught until the end of last season over talk of his inconsistency and threats of losing his job to quarterbacks of lesser talent.
Now Ball has two more seasons to get it right, and he will. Until then, give the guy a break, or Reggie Sr. might have you dangling over the edge of a stadium by your Reggie Jr.-bashing tongue.
Permalink | Comments (23) | Categories: Tech / ACC, Terence Moore
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Pic
August 26, 2005 10:50 PM | Link to this
i agree…Tech fans need to lay off Reggie. If you can’t cope with a less than perfect football team, take it out on the coach. He gets paid 7 figures to take the heat. But lay off the players…they are just kids, and don’t deserve the venom and vitriol from fans. Put another way, fans don’t have the right to take out their frustrations on players.
Reggie was good for a freshman, not so good as a Soph on which high expectations rested. But I like the guy, and for some reason, I’m not all that worried about him this year. In fact, I think his Jr year will be very good. Go get’em Reggie!
GO JACKETS!!!!
By Pete
August 27, 2005 08:26 AM | Link to this
Nice article Mr. Moore - sounds like the kid’s got a solid base behind him where it counts. I did not realize it. After reading this, my hunch is stronger than it already was that the kid is quite probably headed for a breakout year this year.
By Fuga Richt
August 27, 2005 12:27 PM | Link to this
Nice article…..But Football is Football in GA. Diehard TECH Fans have the right to and deserve to express their feelings about a player’s performance—good or bad. Indeed, I will continue to express my feelings on all Tech players—good or bad as that is part of the game. Reggie stacks up better than Joe Hamilton as this point in his career so Reggie’s Junior campaign will be very bright!
By oldfoggy
August 27, 2005 08:33 PM | Link to this
If I had called our QB a jerk or something similar, then I might have expected his dad to politely asked me to stop. But the minute that guy touched me I’d have security on him and I would have pressed charges. You can not assult someone for saying something about a player. It happened with Suggs many times. Do I agree with insulting a player at a game, hades no! Do I expect to be assulted by a dad no. The GT QB is an open target and when you throw 16 td’s and 18 int’s you should expect to have mud slung you way and our QB’s dad should realize that.
By Luke
August 27, 2005 09:03 PM | Link to this
what a surprise. the baby killer musclehead of a father is gonna “fight” anyone who insults his son. well, I tell you what, mr babykilling jarhead. I will meet you anytime, anywhere and I will shove your fat head down your stupid throat and then I will tell you what a crummy job your boy did in the UGA game last year. how you like them apples you dumb redneck?
PS what kind of thin skinned jackwad are you?
WAR STICKS AND STONES
By Luke Sucks
August 27, 2005 11:06 PM | Link to this
Luke is an ignorant asswipe. He can like the sweat off my balls.
By Jesus
August 27, 2005 11:17 PM | Link to this
If I came down and pronounced GT the greatest team ever, the idiots(you know who you are) would come out of the woodworks and startup a new website.. www.firejesus.com
By Framk
August 28, 2005 12:37 AM | Link to this
Go Reggie! I am ashamed of those “fans” that feel the need to take shots at our players.
What does it say about a grown man when he feels the need to criticize a college kid that is laying it on the line out on the field?
Like all the great kids that represent Georgia Tech, most of us fans pull for our team, players and coaches no matter what. It’s a shame that a few loser “fans” can make a larger group of fans look bad.
I sure hope Reggie will have a breakout season.
By gtjacketdj
August 28, 2005 02:18 AM | Link to this
Let Reggie be Reggie. For every Auburn, there is a Miami. For every Clemson, there is a Virginia Tech. Reggie will remain inconsistant, as long as he doesn’t have a pocket, or if he doesn’t have a decent running back to hand off to. That means P.J. has to stay healthy for this team to have a shot at being a top 10 calibre team. They have the talent to do just that. Reggie can’t do it all, and when he and Chan learn that, GT will win plenty. I have a feeling Reggie will be a Heisman candidate next season.
By GetEmReggie
August 28, 2005 10:52 AM | Link to this
I agree with gtjacketdj. I appreciate Reggie’s father being concern, I too will voice my opinion.
This should be a good year for the Reggie and the Jackets. I can wait until Saturday and a visit with the War Eagles.
Go Jackets!
By Pete
August 28, 2005 11:04 AM | Link to this
Good point - I’m with you.
I think the fans should be interested in showing their support for Georgia Tech University, not berating its young men trying their best to represent it.
By JacketEnvy
August 28, 2005 02:59 PM | Link to this
GT is not a university.
GO REGGIE, GO JACKETS, BEAT AUBURN!
By Jesus
August 28, 2005 06:15 PM | Link to this
jacketenvy - Just because it isn’t in the name doesn’t mean it isn’t a university.
u·ni·ver·si·ty An institution for higher learning with teaching and research facilities constituting a graduate school and professional schools that award master’s degrees and doctorates and an undergraduate division that awards bachelor’s degrees
By Kerry
August 28, 2005 09:49 PM | Link to this
If Mr. Ball is an ex-marine, then why does he not instill the discipline that he had to learn into his two sons Reggie and Marcus? The behavior I have witnessed both of these young man is atrociuos to say the least. Is dad not teaching these young men how to behave with dignity and class on and off the field?
By mem
August 29, 2005 08:31 AM | Link to this
Since when should we as fans be ashamed for being critical of a player’s performance? I agree, fans should lay off the personal “idiot” insults and such because they are good-hearted college kids trying their best and most of us couldn’t do any better. BUT - I don’t have any problems (nor should Reggie Sr. or Terence Moore) with anyone saying Reggie has been inconsistent and has made some bad decisions and throws. That is just stating the facts. Stating these facts, in my opinion, is just an honest assessment and does not suggest that I do not support GT any less or that I am not pulling for GT and Reggie Ball each and every week, as some people automatically assume each time someone makes even a slightly negative comment.
Having said all that, I’m pulling hard for Reggie to make a good turnaround, and hopefully he can do just that. And when he does, I will be one of the first to point out the turnaround and give him credit for doing just that.
As for those that do toss out the personal insults, well, they do need to get a grip.
By Philip
August 29, 2005 11:11 AM | Link to this
Who cares about Tech or the misguided ramblings of Terence Moore?
GO DAWGS!!!
By Jacket_Fan
August 29, 2005 12:10 PM | Link to this
The kid is a winner and now I see where he gets it from! Have a GREAT season, Reggie - we know you will!!!
By John
August 29, 2005 12:11 PM | Link to this
Georgia Tech is a “university” in the literal sense, but university is not in the official title. It is Georgia Institute of Technology. No University. Just ask Stephon Marbury…
By WirelessBuzz
August 29, 2005 01:14 PM | Link to this
Then why are you reading it, Phillip? Guess you care about the Jackets or Terence Moore.
By Steve
August 29, 2005 02:45 PM | Link to this
Theres really NEVER any reason to boo college athletes, or coaches for that matter. If YOU could do better, I assume you would be doing so. There is NO WAY that you feel worse about a bad play or bad game than the athlete who experienced it firsthand. Mistakes happen. I would not be interested in watching mistake-free football any more than I would care to witness the mistake filled variety. they just happen, to some more than others, and to some, at more inopportune times. Cheer if something good is happening, or shut up and wait to cheer if things are not going so well for your team. Booing has ZERO effect on whats happening on the field…it just makes you look like a jackass.
By GTconfusion
August 29, 2005 03:19 PM | Link to this
Philip go get ready for your season by watching old re-runs of DJ Shockley throwing tunnel screens to Gus Scott. It’ll be a real thriller.
By Jackets fan
August 31, 2005 03:41 PM | Link to this
Ball is ahead of the pace of Joe Hamilton statistically. Hamilton had poor TD’s to interceptions in his first two seasons too. So I think the least we can do is let the next two seasons play out before you condemn him. He just might turn out to be better than Joe H.
By bewildered
September 9, 2005 10:01 AM | Link to this
Just wondering what happened with Ball Jr. and the coach last year?