Myles Garrett pens emotional tribute to Terry Price
Terry Price, the late Texas A&M defensive line coach, has been paid countless tributes since his death on Friday. And one of the best players he ever coached in College Station joined the chorus of voices saying goodbye, as Myles Garrett shared a message.
On Saturday night, Garrett shared a message on Twitter commemorating his former coach. With it, he shared a video of Price speaking to Garrett and his family and friends at his draft party.
“I truly cannot express the impact this man made in my life. Not only as an athlete but more importantly as a man, brother, and son. From his commitment to God, to grilling and mentorship, he embodied everything a great man should be. My family and I will always miss his presence,” Garrett said.
The video, captured some minutes or hours before Garrett because the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, is a brief speech that Price gave before presenting Garrett with a framed jersey from his time at Texas A&M.
First of I all, I want to say a special thank you, No. 1, to Myles and his family for having us here today, myself and Coach Chavis. We couldn’t be more excited to celebrate a historic day and a great day. And big thank you, obviously, to the family and to you, big man. We appreciate you having us up here, No. 1.
No. 2, as coaches, college coaches, again, we know recruiting process. Three years ago you had a chance to go anywhere in the country. Could’ve chose anybody, trusted anybody to take care of you and push you to make sure you’re the best man you can be, the best player you can be and get a great education. And the great thing about tonight is I think tonight’s a celebration of that. You’re on track to get your Aggie ring, it’s coming soon.
You wanted to be the best football player in America, and you are.
And tonight you will be the first No. 1 overall pick in Texas A&M’s history.
I’m not going to talk all day, we got the draft going on here in a few minutes. But I want to say, No. 1, Myles, I love you. I love your family. Brothers, sisters, I know you’re all here somewhere, I just can’t tell you how much we appreciate you. There’s not a better representative for Texas A&M, there’s not a better example of what a student-athlete should be. Hard work and dedication, nobody outworked you. Nobody’s more dedicated to the game. And nobody’s more dedicated to Texas A&M than you were. And I just can’t tell you how much we appreciate it. So, again, a small token of our appreciation. And I’m going to say, when I picked this up, with was covered the whole time, so I hope it is what I think it is.
This is for you, put it on the wall and remember all the great times you had at Texas A&M.
Terry Price at Myles Garrett’s draft party in 2017
Garrett played at Texas A&M for three seasons, from 2014-17. He had 31 sacks and and 47 tackles for loss in 34 career games. As the No. 1 overall recruit in his class, he chose to stay relatively close to home to play for Price and Texas A&M, a decision that paid of big time.
But as Garrett noted in message — and as numerous other players who played for Price have said — the mark he made outside of football is perhaps the most profound one.
And whenever Garrett sees that jersey on the wall, it can hopefully engender positive memories of the lessons and good times had with Price.
Price died on Friday at age 55
A defensive line and defensive ends coach at his alma mater, Texas A&M, Price died on Friday. He was 55. KBTX confirmed the news with a family member.
Price also played for the Aggies from 1986-89, earning all-conference honors his senior year. After earning his sociology degree in 1992, Price joined the A&M football staff as a volunteer assistant.
He got into full-time coaching a few years later, joining the Western Kentucky staff as a defensive line coach in 1994.
Price returned to the Aggies in 2012 as the defensive line coach and was a holdover from the Kevin Sumlin era when Jimbo Fisher was hired prior to the 2018 season.
In his time at Texas A&M, Price recruited and coached a bevy of top-shelf defensive linemen, headlined by Myles Garrett. Others include Justin Madubuike, Tyree Wilson, DeMarvin Leal, Shemar Turner, Elijah Jeudy, Walter Nolen and Shemar Stewart.
One lineman who played for Price at Texas A&M, Reggie Chevis, shared a heartfelt message on Twitter reflecting on the news. He also alluded to cookouts that Price would put on for his players, noting he was inspired to get into barbecue.
“RIP to Coach Price aka TP. One of the greatest to ever do it man. The guy that taught me the attitude of a SEC DLineman. He gave me real shot also inspired me to be pit-master. Thank you for everything you done for me & the game. Love you OG,” Chevis said on Twitter.