In the summertime of 2000, Jackson State soccer participant Robert “Gunslinger” Kent used to be a redshirt freshman quarterback and T.C. Taylor’s backup. Taylor used to be a redshirt junior who had spent the former season backing up Mark Washington.
For Kent and Taylor, the quarterback pageant could be pleasant, however considered one of depth to look who would take the primary snap of the season.
Taylor would win the wrestle popping out of camp and get started the season as quarterback.
“I used to be dissatisfied after I misplaced the beginning activity,” Kent stated, “however I supported T.C. for the reason that group got here first and with out the group, I will be able to do not anything. I sought after to be told up to imaginable from T.C.”
If most effective the tale ended there.
In an age when athletes bounce into the switch portal when issues don’t pass their means, this used to be the other. Kent didn’t hand over, he labored every day in observe to recuperate. His objective used to be to be able when his alternative got here.
“My momma didn’t carry a quitter,” Kent stated. “I used to be now not going to stroll clear of a complete scholarship, and as a way to play in my house state the place my circle of relatives can come watch me play and make stronger me. If he (Taylor) used to be the starter, I used to be going to ensure he stored on being the starter as a result of I used to be going to push him to the prohibit. I used to be going to make him be the most productive quarterback he may well be.”
The Tigers received their first recreation of the 2000 season, beating Howard 34-16. Taylor did maximum of his harm at the flooring. In the second one recreation towards Texas Southern, JSU misplaced 19-15, with Taylor suffering. Kent performed a few collection all through the sport.
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To everybody’s marvel, within the 1/3 recreation towards Tennessee State, offensive coordinator John Shannon got here as much as Kent, who used to be sitting at the bench with 5 mins to head ahead of kickoff and stated, “Robert, you about able to head get started this recreation.”
Kent checked out him and stated, “You positive?”
Shannon stated, “Sure, sir. Let’s pass win it.”
Kent stated Taylor used to be a talented athlete. He took the transfer to receiver in stride. As a substitute of complaining and having one thing unfavorable to mention, he went on to damage JSU information.
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In his senior 12 months, Taylor broke the JSU single-season report with 184 receptions for 1,234 yards and 11 TDs.
He earned NCAA Department I-AA 3rd-Crew All-American honors from the Sports activities Community and First-Crew Black School All-American from Sheridan Broadcasting Community. Taylor completed 2nd in vote casting for the Conerly Trophy, introduced to Mississippi’s most sensible faculty soccer participant, at the back of Eli Manning.
Taylor may have a quarterback pageant in spring observe, his first as trainer of Jackson State. Former trainer Deion Sanders took his son, Shedeur Sanders, the beginning quarterback, with him to Colorado.
Kent used to be a four-year starter and completed because the third-leading SWAC quarterback in profession passing yards at the back of Alcorn State’s Steve McNair and Mississippi Valley State’s Willie Totten with 11,797 yards, 104 TDs and 58 interceptions in 45 video games as a starter.
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Kent used to be a finalist for the Conerly Trophy in 2002, and took part within the Blue-Grey Vintage and the Las Vegas Gridiron Recreation in 2003.
Kent stated graduating from Jackson State along with his level in Business Generation and Science whilst his oldsters watched him is likely one of the proudest moments of his lifestyles.
These days, he teaches a route referred to as Development, By the use of, Particular person and Resolution. Kent coaches soccer, basketball and tennis at a junior highschool in Richardson, Texas.
The married father of 3 continues to play soccer at age 42, and used to be named offensive participant of the 12 months within the Nationwide Area League ultimate season.
Kent has some performing to his credit score and used to be a stunt double for Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson within the film “The Recreation Plan” in 2005.
“If you’re afraid to fail,” Kent stated, “then you are going to by no means achieve success. I used to be now not afraid to fail.”
This text at the beginning gave the impression on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jackson State soccer trainer T.C. Taylor and ‘Gunslinger’ on 2000 QB wrestle
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