[News] Rookie Running Back Buck Allen Gives Emotional College Graduation Speech

[BR News]

The rookie discussed his difficult upbringing during his graduation from the University of Southern California.

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[ravensrock007]

Congrats Buck! Can't wait to see you rip down the field.

[cec327]

Terrific !

[stixfix69]

How can you not root for a guy like that, very humble and thankful for what he has accomplished so far....Great speech Buck..

[Rants N Ravens]

Living proof that you can make it with a hand up instead of a hand out, if you make the right choices and keep working hard. This kid sets an example for so many others who want to hide behind their circumstances as reasons for their poor decision making.

[Godfather A]

That is the kind of inner drive that cannot be taught.

[reed20fence]

"When he was small, Allen often played by himself, picking up pine cones and pretending they were footballs. He ran about the yard, making up scenarios in his mind.

One day, his grandmother looked outside, saw him running about and asked what he was doing. "I'm playing football," Allen said.

"Football? You don't have no ball," Brown said. So she scraped up enough money to buy him one.

"I took it to school," Allen recalls. "I took it everywhere."

http://articles.latimes.com/2013/nov/14/sports/la-sp-1115-buck-allen-usc-20131115-18

 

Yeah, he took that ball all the way to the NFL!

Edited May 20, 2015 by reed20fence

[TorryGundy]

Damn I hope this kid does well. This story touched me. I love seeing good people come to our team. I am so porud that Ozzie and Harbs value the character of these young men.

[salamander]

Now that's one fine way to introduce Buck Allen to us fans in Raven's Nation. Excellent way to get to know a lot about his character and desire to make the most of this opportunity. I liked the challenge and reminder Buck gave to others that they can choose to become like 1 of the angels who looked out for him and helped him on his journey to the NFL. Welcome aboard Buck.

[Crusader]

BTC = Break the cycle.

[Rich McG]

Congratulations and welcome Mr. Allen. If you are half as good a football player as you are a person we Raven fans are in for a real treat watching you adding to the football excellence the Ravens bring us year after year.

[Mobtown]

Living proof that you can make it with a hand up instead of a hand out, if you make the right choices and keep working hard. This kid sets an example for so many others who want to hide behind their circumstances as reasons for their poor decision making.

 

 

Don't get it twisted.  Some folks need a hand up and a hand out.  His family was receiving public assistance the entire time he was growing up and without it his path would have been considerably harder.  

Edited May 20, 2015 by Mobtown

[throwback2000]

Congratulations young man! You did yourself and your family proud, and, I hope you have a successful career. The Ravens and Baltimore, will be behind you. Stay true!

[jpdsanti]

That's why he's a Raven

[Rants N Ravens]

Don't get it twisted.  Some folks need a hand up and a hand out.  His family was receiving public assistance the entire time he was growing up and without it his path would have been considerably harder.  

 

I don't believe I have anything "twisted."  I don't see public assistance as a hand out, if received for genuine reasons and used for the purpose it is designed.  I actually work in the field, and the intention is to help anyone who has fallen on hard times survive and find a way to become self-sufficient.  Problems arise when certain individuals take advantage and develop a sense of entitlement, spending more time trying to figure out how to stay eligible for the assistance instead of working hard to get off of it.

[ryananth]

Character, Character, Character....that's what it means to be a Raven

[lrcornish]

Great story, great to hear he was able to overcome all the obstacles he faced, now he is a Raven.