Harrell, Leach tour White House
BY DON WILLIAMS
AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
While other quarterbacks were keeping their fingers crossed Saturday for their chance at the Heisman Trophy, Texas Tech’s Graham Harrell was at the White House meeting the president.
Harrell, Tech coach Mike Leach, Leach’s wife, Sharon, and Tech associate media relations director Blayne Beal got a private tour of the White House on Saturday morning and a 20-minute meeting with President George W. Bush after lunch.
“He said a lot of good things about Graham and congratulated him on the season he’s had,” Beal said. “He said he’s an outstanding role model and an example of what a college football player should be.”
Beal said the president showed his Texas roots in the company of the Red Raiders.
“Coach Leach introduced himself, and (Bush) said, ‘I know who you are. You don’t have to introduce yourself.’ “Then when Graham started to tell him his name, (Bush) said, ‘I know who you are, too.’
“He said he has a passion for college football and watches us all the time.”
Beal said Trey Bohn and John Dorff, two Tech graduates on the White House staff, issued the invitation late Friday when they became aware that Harrell and Leach were in nearby Baltimore for the presentation of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award to the nation’s top senior quarterback.
Saturday’s stopover added to a mind-boggling weekend for Harrell. While in Baltimore, he got to spend an afternoon and evening with Pro Football Hall of Famers Raymond Berry and Sam Huff and handle museum memorabilia that belonged to Cal Ripken Jr. and Babe Ruth.
The Tech football contingent was afraid they were going to miss the president. They had afternoon flights back to Texas, and Bush was away getting his daily exercise when they arrived. But the president relayed a message to hold up the Red Raiders.
“The president was out riding a bike, but he said he wanted to meet us,” Beal said. “Both (officials) got an e-mail at the same time from his chief aide saying how he wanted to meet us.”
Beal said when the motorcade pulled up, Bush stepped out “dressed in bike-riding gear and all that stuff.”
The president and the coach even used the meeting to banter about a mutual acquaintance. Tech Chancellor Kent Hance is the only person to beat Bush in an election — for a 1978 West Texas congressional seat — and Hance and Tech offered Leach a new contract a little more than a week ago.
“(Bush) said, ‘I talk to Hance a lot,’ ” Beal said. “Mike said, ‘I talk to him a lot, too.’ ”
The president even got a briefing on normally classified Tech information.
Harrell threw for 4,747 yards and 41 touchdowns during the regular season, but he suffered two broken fingers in the regular-season finale against Baylor and underwent a complicated surgery the next day to repair multiple fractures.
Leach made an exception to his usual disdain for talking about hurt players.
“That went out the window with the president,” Beal said. “He told (Bush) about Graham’s broken fingers and how tough he is.”
The Tech contingent received a grand tour starting Saturday morning, including visits to the West Wing and executive building, the Oval Office and the White House’s Rose Garden, briefing room and Cabinet room.
To comment on this story:
don.williams@lubbockonline.com – 766-8734
jeff.walker@lubbockonline.com – 766-8735
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Wow!! That is just awesome and Graham deserves every perk he gets from a great season! Hopefully it’s helped him get passed the snub.
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Heck Right Red Raiders!!
How cool is that? Our MEN got to meet the President of The United States!! And he’s a president that grew up in West Texas!!
Wonder what the magnificent three have done today in NYC? I’m sure it’s been a great ride for those three young men, but they didn’t get a one on one with 43. Beats a cold chicken dinner with Chris Fowler.
Congratulations Mr. President. Today was your lucky day!!
Wreck ‘em TTU’85
Go Tech!! Beat the rebels!!
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How Cool!!!! Thank you Mr. President for giving our boy the recognition he deserves. Meeting the President will be something he will long remember – when we have all forgotten who won the Heisman this year.
Now go out there with your guns held high.
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This is pretty cool. I do have a question for you Raidernation. Who is the only person to defeat George Bush for a state congressonal seat in west Texas? This happened in the late 70’s.
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Chancelor Kent Hance.
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Chancellor, sorry for the typo Pirate!!
Wreck ‘em TTU’85
Go Tech!! Beat the rebels!!
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Guns Up, Good job! I also mispelled congressional.
The Raiders to Rock Jan 2!
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The Raiders STOMP Cotton on January 2nd Pirate!! Thanks for the memory of that congressional race.
Another note: The Heisman went to the ONLY quarterback that beat OUR Red Raiders this year!!
Wreck ‘em!! TTU’85
Go Tech!! Beat the rebels!!
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Thats amazing! The majority of the Heisman voters appeared to not know who Graham Harrell is but the President of the United States knew him with no introduction required!
What a neat honor for both Harrell and Coach Leach.
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Graham Harrell is not only a fantastic quarterback, he is an outstanding young man as well. He had great season. If he couldn’t win the Heisman (which I think he earned) and the Golden Arm Award, he captured the hearts of Tech fans everywhere. He’s an example of playing by the rules and living a Christian life. I am so happy he got to rub elbows with another West Texan and Tech fan, George W. Bush.
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The article was careful not to say that Bush was a Tech FAN.
I think all the Bushes like the Ags best.
I was hoping Leach was out visiting high school recruits. Maybe he’s retiring & has no need to?
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Graham Harrell is an exceptional young man and I am delighted that he was recognized by the President this way. This is a great honor for him and one that was richly deserved. Alghough he is the best QB inthe country, he did not get recognized as the most poplular QB in the country, and I am sure that is OK with him. He will go on to great things and I am very proud to know him and call him my friend.
GO TECH! BEAT THE REBELS!
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This would not have happened had it not been for the two Tech grads on the white House staff. A good example of Red Raiders taking care of Red Raiders! Sounds like a great experience for everyone!
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Jesus H. Christ – Leach looks like some transient idiot – dressed like a hobo !!!! I knew he never had any ‘class’ but this goes beyond ignorance!!! – Just glad Mr. Bush, who grew up in this area, has more decorum thNt Mike Leach!! –
I AM ASHAMED OF TEXAS TECH BECAUSE OF THIS IDIOT!!!
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Guess who was the first school to offer Sam Bradford a scholarship? Texas Tech! Our family loves Graham, and we are so blessed that he has represented our school in a positive way for the past 4 years. It has been a pleasure to watch you Graham!
Coach Leach, you keep our friends and family in stitches, we love you too! Godspeed to all of you and the entire Red Raider staff and team!
Wreck em!
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This OUGHT to quiet all of you – and TRULY EMBARRASS all of you – who have been critical of Coach Leach as of late with all of your “Where is Coach Leach?…. Why hasn’t he signed his contract?…. Why isn’t he out recruiting?….Why isn’t he talking to anyone?… It’s all about the money to Coach Leach… He should be tossed out the door…” And blah, blah, blah…
He has been out on the road with TTech’s all-time #1 quarterback – who has been given the cold shoulder BIG TIME by the sports world as of late despite having been their “darling” only a few weeks ago – supporting him and showing him a good time and saying “THANKS” for all Harrell has given to TTech football during his career here… “THANKS” to a young man who UNBELIEVABLY, UNDENIABLY got the “short end of the stick” last night in New York by those pompous asses… “THANKS” to a “star” and a leader who has provided Tech fans AND Tech’s foes with memories that will last a long, long time…
“Convention” would say that Coach Leah should be busy resolving his contract, getting ready for a bowl game, be out recruiting HS players, etc, etc, etc…. But Leach never has been “conventional”…. SO I don’t know why any of you who truly follow TTech football would/should think he is going to start now….
All I know is that Mike Leach’s heart and head and soul are in the “right place” right this minute… Showing thanks and support to a young man most of the sports world as of late has treated like an ugly blind date… Saying thanks for bringing some of he most memorable football ever to Texas Tech…
Thank you, Graham Harrell, for all you have given and done for our football program… And thank you, Coach Leach, for being a true “coach” and having the right kind of “compass” regarding the “important” things in life…
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what a way to top an already awesome week! Graham got the raw end of the deal. you know it had to have bothered him not being invited to the heisman ceremony, but he has not said one bad word about any of it. he has just taken it in stride like always. i always enjoy watching Red Raider football, but this year was AWESOME!! we truly will miss watching Graham play Tech football on Saturdays next year, but hopefully it is in God’s plans for us to watch him on Sundays!!! good luck to Coach Leach, Graham and the rest of the Red Raiders in the Cotton Bowl!! WRECK THEM REBELS!!!
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So I was watching the Greatest Game Ever Played last night, and the Colts/Giants 58 championship at Yankee Stadium game reminded me of the Tech/Nebraska game. Another OT game, Tech’s ealry lead in the first, Huskers comeback in the second and plus, Unitas and Barry looked alot like Harrell and Crabtree!
And here, Graham went to DC instead of NYC and met the president after winning the Unitas award and meeting Barry!
Destiny is bright. Harrell would make an excellent NFL QB. I hope he gets a good draft (later round) onto a good team.
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All the way to the White House how wonderful. Thank you President Bush for meeting our Red Raiders Graham Harrell and our Coach Leach. Go Tech Guns Up win the Cotton Bowl. Doris Bradley
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I guarantee you that Graham would have much rather been in NYC. Guarantee!
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As you can tell by my picture I like to drink beer !
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hey nymph,
i don’t know if you are right. he didn’t have a reason to be there besides being there.
Harrell didn’t get invited because Heismans don’t go to someone with a 44 point loss on their season record. (not with the numbers on the other guy’s stats)
Harrell got Unitas, Colt got the Camp.
Tebow got the Maxwell, Bradford got the Heisman/O’Brien
And here, Graham went to DC instead of NYC and met the president after winning the Unitas award and meeting Barry!
Destiny is bright.
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Why in the world wasn’t THIS picture of Harrell & Leach…or Harrell or Crabtree receiving their AWARDS on the FRONT PAGE of today’s A-J??!!
I can’t believe they ran pics of five local MURDERERS instead!
Apparently, the A-J can’t handle a GOOD NEWS, uplifting story with COLOR PICS about those guys (& many others) who SHOULD be in the headlines today.
I certainly hope they plan to do that in a special edition in the very near future!
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Coach Leach : Please quit drinking so much beer & get out there jogging around to the high schools for new recuits!!
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My special thanks to, President Bush, Mr. Bohn, and Mr. Dorff. I know this meeting at the White House meant a great deal to Graham, Coach and Mrs. Leach, and Mr. Beal.
I think I speak for all Red Raiders in saying this has been special for us all.
Congratulations to Graham for winning the Johnny Unitas-Golden Arm Award.
GET YOUR GUNS UP!
Pardge
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Think about the circumstances of yesterday. Coach Leach and Graham and Troupe go inside the White House, get to meet 43, and President Bush says…”You don’t have to introduce yourself to me. I know who you are.” And today, he is in Iraq, greeting our soldiers. Thank you to our fellow Raiders in the White House that made this happen!! I wish 43 was building his Library at Tech instead of SMU.
As I said before, Congratulations Mr. President. Yesterday was your lucky day!!
Wreck ‘em TTU’85
Go Tech!! Beat the rebels!!
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I bet O.J. Simpson would need no introduction either.
Does that make everybody OJ meets a FAN of his?
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Actually Pirate, it wasn’t a state congressional seat. It was a US Congressional seat.
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Pete:
I agree with you. I never said that he DESERVED to be there, I simply stated that he would rather have been in NYC. I mean the big rukus from Coach Leach as to why he wasn’t even invited and from others kind of leads one to believe that he was heart broken that he didn’t get to go see someone else win it. And as for the White House trip, what’s the big deal????
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Red Raiders Rock, lets bring home a Cotton Bowl win!!! Graham you deserve it all. Thanks for a GREAT YEAR!!!
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Sports Nymph….
The big deal? I would think it a really big deal to the President to get to meet Graham Harrell and Mike Leach.
All kidding aside, I believe that while DC wasn’t the city Graham wanted to be in yesterday, getting to go to the White House, and meeting one on one with the President of the United States of America is a pretty big deal. At least it is to me.
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Wreck ‘em TTU’85
Go Tech!! Beat the rebels!!
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My beer belly fills so good !!
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$3 million & I could have a beer belly too!
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Thanks for the correction Mike. I was not observant that this little factoid was already in this article.
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umm, ok! If spending 20 minutes with President Bush is how you choose to waste 20 minutes, then so be it. I could find many more things to do with my time while in DC.
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That’s our problem with our two head coaches. I worry about their longevity. Or time coaching the Red Raiders. Though health may be the least thing to worry about if Leach is so concerned about $!
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ditto nympho – all those conservative congressmen with a loose nympho. umm, umm
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RE: Beer Belly.
Leach is trying to audition for the Kansas coaching job now – just to cover all bases!!.
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Pete…Tebow won the Heisman last year and lost 4 games.
Sports Nympho…you weren’t on the trip so your opinion doesn’t count here.
Melvin…if you have children, I bet they are real proud of your character and positive example of how to treat others. Human scum: That certainly does not describe you.
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I think Harrell got the better end of the deal than if he had gone to New York to see Bradofrd win the award. The only reason to be a runner up is if you want a head start on winning it next year, which doesn’t apply to Harrell. The Red Raider who really needed to be there was Michael Crabtree. He is the best player in college football. The award has just become a popularity contest amongst quarterbacks. (only one non-QB winner this decade) Look for McCoy and Sanchez from USC to be the frontrunners next year. Let’s just hope Bradford goes on to the pros, then we’ll have a leg up on beating them in Lubbock next year.
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wowee eddie – i hit a nerve. sorry i was so serious.
you’re soo lighthearted.
hope your next therapy session goes better.
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Hey Melvin block,
I agree with all your postings the last 10 days. Is Leach going to sign the extension and hit the recruiting trail? He got a great start!! It will all fall apart if he doesn’t sign that extension soon!! (and let the recruits that he IS staying) . Very classy for Leach and Harrell to go to the White House. Life has been good for Leach in Lubbock. Look at his front profile pictures when he got here in 2000 compared to now.
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After some exhaustive research on German surnames, I have discovered the original root words that give us the name Heisman. It translates to “he who is merely third best among his local tribes.” Do not fret Tech and UT fans. History and the Heisman have a way of not exactly working hand-in-hand. Graham Harrell will likely be the next Tom Brady, and Colt McCoy could be the next Peyton Manning, both of whom have done pretty good without winning the Heisman. On the other hand, Sam Bradford will merely be the next clipboard-toting Matt Leinert; he’s already sporting the same white man’s fro Leinert had at the trophy presentation. To continue to recognize this trophy’s recipient as “the best” is a terrible injustice.
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Leach/Palin in ‘2012!
Harrell could be Secretary of the Air Force!
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day 12 of the contract offer to Leach.
when will our long raider nation nitemare be over?
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Leach was spotted in Minneapolis where his representative had to give him a little prep talk. Leach wanted to sign, but agent wants to hold thing up so he can get more cash to pay for his new ice house.
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sounds like he’s a complete ice-hole.
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Congratulations Graham ! Hope you play for a west coast team so we don’t have to travel so far to see your magic. Thanks for the past few years, we’ve had a ball following you.
Wreck-em!
And, o yea, Melvin, move back to Oaklahoma we don’t need fans like you.
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How many days now and anxious fans still awaiting news of Coach Leach’s extension acceptance??? I heard Coach Myers made him a very attractive offer. Washington really did not want him, I think. Auburn didn’t even talk with him. And, really last year he was more interested in Miami than they ever were in him. If a husband had an eye at other women the way Coach Leach seems to have for other schools well she would probably tell him to not let the door hit him in the behind on his way out!!! Gee – I always kind of thought Tech to be like a “trophy” place or a “trophy” wife.
Speakin of trophy — just what are Art Briles and Turner Gill up to right now anyway?
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When Leach and Harrell shook hands with this President, did they notice the blood on his hands??
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posted by fred: “When Leach and Harrell shook hands with this President, did they notice the blood on his hands??”
Huh?
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I feel conected to that story. I grew up in Ennis, went to Tech, stood next to Bush at the ‘97 graduation and Dorff’s dad married my wife and I.
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Meeting the President of the United States is a real honor. There is no blood on our president’s hands. The monster Saddham Hussein went to the gallows with the blood and heads of hundreds of thousands of his own people on his hands. I have an idea archaeologists will be digging up mass graves for many years in the future. He left these all over Iraq. Has any opponent of the Iraq war given any thought to Saddham’s successors apparent? His psychopathic son Uday and master of torture Qusay were waiting in the wings. Iraq would have been thrown into a new dark age of indescribable murder and torture. Somehow many in our country see President Bush and our military as the “killers.” I am still glad Coach Leach and Graham Harrell got a chance to visit with Mr. Bush.
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