"My Signing Day Decision" - by Drake Davis on The Players' Tribune

LINK

Drake Davis is an LSU signee and the son of Lester Earl (the player ).

quote:

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“Les Miles is a hugger, bro.”

“Nah.”

“Yes. He is. Look at the guy.”

“What do you mean, look at the guy?”

“What do you mean, what do I mean? It’s just a vibe. Read the vibe, bro. Just trust me. I’m getting hugged.”

He can’t see it.

It’s November 28th, 2015, in Tiger Stadium, in Death Valley, on the LSU sideline before their game vs. Texas A&M — and my friend can’t see it.

He can’t see that Les Miles is a hugger.

“10 bucks says he shakes your hand — no hug.”

I crack a smile. I don’t have any inside info or anything. I’m just some kid, a recruit on a visit. It’s not like Les and I are close.

But I know. I don’t know how I know, but I know. My dude is a hugger.

I give my friend fair warning.

“Look … if you want to give me 10 dollars, then I’ll take it. But that’s a losing bet. He’s going to hug me.”

“Then bet.”

“Okay, it’s a bet.”

“10 bucks.”

“That Les Miles will hug me.”

“Yes.”

“Okay.”

“Okay.”

A few minutes later, the team finishes warm-ups. Coach jogs off the field, and heads toward the sideline. My friend and I catch his eye.

He walks over to us.

We look at each other, wide-eyed. The stakes are high: 10 bucks. Hug from Les Miles or nah.

I reach out my hand.

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quote:

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Like I said: I don’t know how I know, but I know.

I look Les Miles in the eye. I smile. I put out my hand to shake his.

And then I wait … for … it …

Whoosh.

There it is. He brushes my hand aside — and goes straight for the hug. Perfect form, no hesitation, never a doubt. My friend is out 10 bucks: Les Miles is a hugger.

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quote:

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Sorry. Not Les Miles — Coach Miles.

My coach.

Of my team. Of my state. Of my city. Of my school. Of my new home — the same as my old home.

And that, above everything else, is why I’m signing today with LSU: It’s home.

Home is where your family is.

And families don’t shake hands.

Geaux Tigers.

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Article has been shared on the NSD Board a few times but I thought I'd share it here as well as I know there are a few of you who read The Players' Tribune.

Pretty solid writing in general, much less for an 18-year old.