Rick Comegy is a man of football, living the football life.

Like all coaches, winning national championships has become one of his top goals. However, he said, teaching young people about football, God and life is even more important.

Comegy shared his coaching experiences and delivered an inspiring speech during the Selma Quarterback Club’s meeting Tuesday night at the Selma Convention Center.

When Comegy began his coaching career in the 1970s at Cheney College in Pennsylvania, he was a man on his own. He said college officials could not afford scholarships nor a staff of assistant coaches.

“I told them I didn’t need scholarships or a staff,” he said. “I told them all I needed was me. I washed the laundry, I lined the field. I did everything.

“I found out you couldn’t do everything,” Comegy added. “You’ve got to have someone out there helping you. You have to have someone to argue with.”

The team went 0-22 its first two years under Comegy.

Comegy currently is in his ninth season at Tuskeegee College. He is preparing to lead his Golden Tigers against Alabama State University in the 81st Annual State Farm Turkey Day Classic to be held Thanksgiving Day in Montgomery’s Cramton Bowl.

Before that, however, Comegy spoke of his players, saying they had “a total enthusiastic involvement of the game itself.”

The Tuskeegee coach also read a poem about a young football player who had the courage to give a full effort despite physical shortcomings.

“The kids we have at Tuskeegee,” Comegy said, “have the courage to try. We don’t often get the blue chippers at Tuskeegee. But we have players who have the courage to give their best.”

Comegy spoke of the importance of having a total enthusiastic involvement in life itself.

“It’s about believing in your dreams,” he said. “That’s what kind of program we run. We want the kids, when they remove their spikes for the last time, to know that they lived their dreams here.”

He also challenged those in attendance to share their enthusiasm for life with young people.

“You are the men of honor. You are the true warriors,” Comegy told the group. “Don’t stop leading now, when we need you most.”