Baylor football has had some down years in the past, but their recent history is a lot brighter thanks to the arm and legs of one man, Robert Griffin III. He helped lead the team to an eleven win season in 2011 and will now, get this, have himself immortalized in bronze in front of the new stadium set to open in August. Of course, Griffin is now with the Washington Redskins and has gone through rehab from a torn ACL a few years ago. An eleven win season is an accomplishement, but seriously? a statue? come on?

There are a few things missing from this story One key piece of information that I did not see, and an important one is where the money is coming from for this ‘prestigious honor.’ If Griffin is fronting the money for the bronze immortalization then by all means, go ahead, but if he is not giving a penny to the project I feel it is a giant waste.

I could understand if he came out of Baylor and led the Washington Redskins to a Super Bowl win his first season at the helm, but he hasn’t. In fact the team is working on figuring out if Griffin III is even their best option for the upcoming season. Now, let’s turn the tables. What if….Oregon ‘decided’ to have a statue celebrating and honoring a football athlete at the entrance to Autzen Stadium. My first question, similar to above is why? What is the point.

The Oregon Ducks have had a resurgence of their own, but not over a couple of seasons, but over the last fifteen to twenty years. Let’s say a former player came to the U of O with a proposal and a donation to build a statue on the Autzen Stadium concourse. There are many ‘greats’ that have been Oregon Ducks throughout the years. Joey Harrington, Dan Fouts, and more recently Josh Huff to name a few. Of the many names I am likely missing and looking at more recent history. Marcus Mariota in bronze would be a phenomenal addition to Autzen. Am I right? I mean after all, he has broken records and is on pace to break more this upcoming season. Why not immortalize the more recent hero of memory for Oregon Ducks fans everywhere.

Of course, I am not serious when I say this. Success of a football program cannot be assigned to any one player. It is the sum of all parts that make it work. But wait, there’s another name that comes to mind. How about former Oregon Ducks Offensive Guru Chip Kelly. He led the Ducks to plenty of victories and even a National Championship. Better yet, Oregon could do a Mount Rushmore style dedication with Kelly, former Coach Mike Bellotti as well as Quarterbacks Dennis Dixon and Mariota all together…or they could do nothing.

In fact I think ‘nothing’ in this case is the best idea. Autzen Stadium is unique on its own and it is the fans that make it one of the toughest places to play in not only the Pac-12, but in College Football. Oregon’s success comes from coaches and players and what they do on the field, as well as the fans cheering for them in the stands, not from an bronze object outside the front gates.

Of course, each program in college football is different. Let the Baylor Bears celebrate the recent past with a statue of one of their own. There are many ways to celebrate success, I am not sure a statue is the best one to go with.

Feel free to share your thoughts on the topic in the comments, of course keep it family friendly.

For a different take on the Oregon Ducks, visit AutzenZoo.com