Being 3 years his senior, Robert had a hard time growing up in the shadow of his older brother LeSean. They argued, got in fights, and competed over pretty much everything (like most brothers do). LeSean was always the bigger, faster, stronger one. But Robert was always there, getting back up and trying again. What he lacked in size at that young age, he more than made up for in heart, drive, passion and overall competitive nature. "I've known Robert and his brother for years, there's not an ounce of quit in either one of them" said former Bishop McDevitt High Football coach, Allen Parker. I guess that's the advantage of being the younger brother, you learn to be tough and fight back...or you get beat up.
As the years went by and LeSean started gaining national recognition, Robert was proud of his older bro but in the back of his mind he thought, "I could do that. Hell I can do better". To him it was another competion. As he aged, he added the weight, the strength, the size, the speed. He was being pushed to do better just like he was years ago in the backyard. "Get up, run faster, push harder, do it again!", LeSean would always want more out of him. He got it. Robert was no longer just a stars 'younger sibling'. He was starting to make a name for his self. His sophmore and junior years at Bishop saw him surpass LeSean's rushing records and winning 2 state championships. His senior was finally here and Robert although already heavily recruited by almost every university in the country; still had a chip on his shoulder. He came out of the gate those first 3 games running harder, faster, stronger than anyone has seen him go. Rushing for over 250 yards and 3 touchdowns in all 3 games, this year looked like he was trying to raise the bar to where nobody could see it...much less reach it.
Then reality hit. It all came crashing down. 1 bad plant, on a rain soaked field saw an untouched McCoy drop to the ground. The crowed was stunned. "All you could hear was the rain and Robert." Said coach Parker. The complete tear of the ACL and MCL had possibly just ended this promising career before it even took off. Those close to Robert knew he would try and come back, they had doubts that he'd try. But they had their own on if he could. Would schools still want him? Would he be able to gain that explosiveness back that made him look like a man amongst boys?
As expected, schools were scared. What good is a one legged running back anyway? Only a few schools still had scholarships on the table. The top 2 were Pittsburgh and Texas A&M. He knew it would take at least a year to heal. Hard work was going to be his next 2 years. He thought long and hard, talked to family and decided. "LeSean has written his story in Pittsburgh, I'm writing mine in College Station." He was leaving home in Pennsylvania and starting from scratch. It took Robert two years of up and down rehabilitation, before he'd ever see the field again. In those two years there was pain, sweat, tears. But he was the same Robert. No quitting, no giving up. He hadn't lost is drive or his passion and with those words now permanently on his chest "Get up, run faster, push harder, do it again," the country that had all but forgotten about this one time highly recruited super star. They'd come to find out...he also hadn't lost his speed and power.
Robert's first carry came in the 2nd quarter of a game against LSU where A&M saw their top two running backs go down for the game. It was a simple draw, but it looked like he was shot out of a cannon. It was as if those last two years of hard work and endless hours to rehab the knee while wanting to prove everyone wrong were all bottled up, shaken and released in one giant 67yd touchdown run. The speed was like watching one of those madden football games, it was unreal. Those who didn't know who this kid was were shocked. Those who did...expected nothing less. He finished that game with 192yds and 3 touchdowns. He was the starter til he graduated. Setting A&M records for rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. The excitement, the amazement, the hype were all back. Just like McCoy, it's like they never missed a beat.
That offseason saw the San Francisco 49ers draft McCoy 16th overall. (37 picks higher than his brother). He made it. The moved proved to be worth the high pick on a man who was just a few years removed from having their career nearly cut short. McCoy's rookie year saw him finish 5th in the league in rushing (1,959yds) and 2nd in touchdowns (21) also 2nd in rookie of the year honors by only a slim margin. When asked what he thought about being drafted higher than his brother and finally being looked at as his own man, he responded; "Look at my jersey, how do you think I feel?" 37....the number of spots he was drafted ahead of LeSean. I guess brothers will be brothers...except now they're grown men. It should be fun to watch for years to come. Which one will prove to be "The real McCoy"?
"Get up, run faster, push harder, do it again!"
This time last year, the San Francsico 49ers were on the outside looking in. Already out of the playoff picture and possessing the 32nd ranked defense (full of underachieving, highly sought after, "superstars" mind you) 1st year owner Rico Marziali vowed there would be change. That change came quickly and furiously and well surprisingly. Making several off-season moves, involving big names that just weren't contributing as much as they were expected to. Such as aging Frank Gore that gave the 9ers no run game to speak of all of 2014 and a mid-season trade of a highly touted but equally as underwhelming receiver, Michael Crabtree. With free agency signings not a priority on the list; scouting and smart picks was the road they chose to travel. Luckily a solid, top to bottom draft including offensive rookie of the year candidate running back Robert McCoy, who is currently 7th in the league in rushing (1,378yds 14tds) receivers Taz Butler and Devaunte Beatty who have not only brought speed but youth to a quickly aging group of receivers. Two secondary superstars in the making with corner Delbert Landry already cracking the starting line-up and strong safety Dion Simon contributing, it looks as if they are heading the right direction. With a record of 7-5 and barely holding on to a wild card spot, of course there's still room for improvement. I'm not quite crowing them yet but this young team has come a long way and has been with in 1 play in 3 of their losses. Their latest being a 35-31 loss to one of the leagues powerhouses; (10-2 Seattle Seahawks) has turned some heads, put other teams in the league on notice and has a left a young, very dangerous team with a bad taste in their mouth and very very hungry. With their new defensive scheme...this is not a team to take lightly come playoff time. Watch out NFL, you've been warned.