Nov. 9, 2001

Ronald has heard you.

He has heard you talking about how he sometimes short-hops the wide open guy in the flat. He has heard that you think he holds the ball too long in the pocket, locks onto his primary receiver too early, wasn't the savior, didn't win the Heisman and doesn't have a jump shot. He even heard a few of you booing him at Kenan Stadium against ECU on the exact same day he broke Carolina's career total offense record.

Ronald Antonio Curry will never let on that he has heard you, but he has. And now, with just two home football games left to play, he deserves to hear from you again. But this time, what he deserves to hear is applause.

Genuine, sincere, sustained, on-your-feet, beer and pretzels, stadium-rattling applause. Not because it says in this space to do it, but because he has earned it.

In late 1997, this quiet young man courageously de-committed from Virginia, the university his high school coach badly wanted him to attend, to follow his heart and come to Chapel Hill, and before he could shake the hand of his first teammate, coach or academic advisor, he was shackled with the stainless steel leg irons of unrealistic expectations. Didn't matter what the guy did, it wouldn't be enough.

Then, Carolina started changing coaches on him. Ronald, meet your new head basketball coach. Meet your new football coach. Meet your new offensive coordinator. Start learning your new playbook. Just forget about all of those other terms and formations you've been taught, son. These are the ticket right here.

Isn't it interesting that the guy who can run like a white-tailed buck also borrows some of the deer's defense mechanisms? Ronald picks his way gently through life, in no hurry at all yet always listening, and he can remain still for long periods until he is sure that the way is safe. Years of practice have given him an accurate nose for people, and he easily bounds away from uncomfortable or risky situations.

But as splendid as his physical gifts are, why can't he dodge the anger, hurt and emptiness of death? A 16 year old cousin was murdered in 1994, both of the grandparents who raised him died during his college years, and he missed the Wake Forest game to attend the funeral of a favorite 12 year old cousin. It is no wonder he doles his affection out with such caution, for he has stood at far too many grave sites for a 22 year old.

Now here he is on the threshold of completing his football career and his education at this university. He hasn't complained about his bad breaks. He hasn't stiff-armed autograph seekers. He hasn't let his academics slip. In many ways, he's treated UNC better than UNC has treated him, and he's won a few games and a few admirers along the way.

Ronald Curry has been a classy ambassador for the University of North Carolina and for that, when his name is called on Senior Day and when he completes his first pass against SMU, he deserves to hear you loud and clear.