Setting good examples on and off the field

Tyler Wooten of Llano takes a picture with Texas A&M quarterback Stephen McGee (left) and University of Texas receiver Jordan Shipley, both of Burnet. The football players signed autographs and posed for pictures with fans on behalf of a fundraiser benefitting burn victim Taylor Delz, a Llano High School student, in 2007. 

AUSTIN — They are interchangeable for success, hard work and friendship. For many Burnet County residents, it’s hard to believe.

Is today’s game between the University of Texas and Texas A&M University the last time rival football players Jordan Shipley and Stephen McGee will share a field together?

No, said Burnet High School head football coach Doyle Walker.

“I don’t think there’s any reason why both can’t go on and play at the next level,” the former Bulldogs assistant coach said. “These two young men have nothing but big things ahead of them.”

Burnet Consolidated Independent School District superintendent Jeff Hanks agreed.

“No doubt those kids were going to have opportunities beyond high school ball at a Division I level,” he said. “It’s been a joy to watch them. I truly believe they’ll have opportunities outside college.”

For the past several years, area residents have enjoyed watching the two perform on one of the grandest stages in college football.

They also play for what many consider to be the two flagship programs in the state.

But it wasn’t so long ago that there was a question whether the pair were talented enough. 

The making of champions

Hanks still chuckles when he remembers the response of former Bulldogs head coach Bob Shipley, now the head coach at Coppell High School and Jordan Shipley’s father, to McGee as quarterback.

At the time, Shipley was a freshman quarterback at Rotan, which was where the family lived before making the move to Burnet.

McGee was elevated to the varsity for the playoffs by former coach Ed Abernathy.

“It was a comment Bob made to the Rotary Club at Burnet during a spring talk,” Hanks said. “A lot of guys look like Tarzan and play like Jane. I can’t tell you if he’s Tarzan or Jane.’  Bob is no dummy. He figured out where Jordan’s talents were and Stephen’s were.”

And so did everyone else, Hanks said. 

“Anybody who watched them play knew that they were at a different level than those around them,” he said. “And some very good kids were around them.”

Walker was on the staff during the duo’s junior and senior years when Burnet played for the Class 3A state championship. He saw their commitment, work ethic and attitude first hand. 

“They’re very good Christian young men,” he said. “People love to be around them.”

The quarterback made his first start during the 2005 season when the Aggies hosted the Longhorns. It was a surprise move because former quarterback Reggie McNeal said during the week leading up to the game, he was going to play. 

McGee led a huge scare for the second-ranked Longhorns, though Texas won, 40-29. 

“He ignited their offense,” Hanks said. 

One of the superintendent’s favorite memories from the game occurred when McGee was hammered. 

“He popped up,” Hanks said with a smile. “That got his team motivated.”

Since then, McGee has proven the Aggies are for real. He has led them to two straight victories, 12-7, in 2006 and 38-30 last season over their most-heated rival.

Off-the-field obstacles

McGee’s senior year has not played out the way he would have liked. He suffered a shoulder injury on his right side, which is his throwing arm.

“Stephen had success in other ways,” Hanks said. “He is their go-to guy, the heart and soul of the Aggie football team. They look to him for leadership. When it’s tough going, there’s no quitting in him.”

If anyone can relate to injuries, it’s the quarterback’s old receiver.

Shipley had injuries that sidelined him for his first two years, including the 2005 national championship season. 

“I think a lot of it goes back to his drive,” Walker said. “A lot of kids would have thrown it in. That determination to play is what Jordan and Stephen are all about. That’s what puts them head and shoulders above a lot of young men these days.”

Hanks agreed.

“Jordan has been very patient in that he had some huge obstacles early on to overcome,” Hanks said. “Jordan wasn’t necessarily feeling he was contributing.”

Now that Shipley has played a bigger role for the Longhorns, he is showing the country what Bulldogs fans already knew, the superintendent said.

Now that Texas still has Big 12 and national title hopes, Hanks said he is happy to see Shipley play an important role for the Longhorns.

“Texas has a tremendous ball club,” he said. “They have a legitimate chance at a national championship this year.”

Walker said what makes Shipley and McGee special are their work ethic and effort.

While others are spending their free time watching television or hanging out with friends, they were in the weight room, on the practice field or watching film, he said.

“They’re not doing something not to make themselves better,” he said. “That’s the qualities and personalities they have. That’s the drive and tenacity these young men have.”

 They realize they are gifted athletes and a feel a sense of responsibility to nurture their talent and set good examples, the coach said. 

“God has given them an opportunity to go to the next level,” he said. “They’ll say he has given them talent and tenacity to play at the next level.”

No matter where he travels in the state, when people find out Hanks is from Burnet, he is always asked about the duo.

“They want to know what kind of kids they were in high school,” he said. “We’re they the kind of people you want to be associated with? I think for anyone claiming to be from Burnet, it’s a source of pride for the people in this community.”

The two realize they have God-given talent, he said, but they continue to work hard and remain humble in their approach to life. 

And though McGee has not played much because of the injury, Hanks said he was a surprise player in 2005. 

“Would I be surprised to see Stephen come in at some point during the game? No, I don’t think so,” he said. “It’ll be an exciting time to see Jordan and Stephen out there at the same time. We were blessed to have the chance to see them in high school. I’m thankful they came from Burnet and gave us some notoriety.”   

Photo by Tom Suarez/www.tomsuarez.net