Backfield remembers Roby’s legacy

When former National Football League punter and Middle Tennessee resident Reggie Roby died suddenly and unexpectedly in February, his family and friends said his legacy would not be soon forgotten.Roby’s impact was proudly on display for Backfield in Motion’s Legends Weekend, which began last Thursday and ended Saturday. The weekend featured a celebrity-studded, fund-raising golf tournament and a football clinic for Backfield in Motion participants, which took place Saturday at Montgomery Bell Academy. Roughly 180 youths turned out, said Joe Davis, the program’s founder. Roby had served as the program’s director before he died.On Saturday, the kids were taught the game from a slew of current and former NFL stars. After they finished their last drill, the kids of Backfield in Motion sat politely while Tim Bryant, the program’s athletics director, took time to remember Roby and his legacy.“We want to always remember coach Reggie Roby,” Bryant said. “[Roby] was a star in the NFL, but he was around here hauling stuff and filling water coolers. I keep a cap [of Roby’s] in my office, so whenever I get lazy I see that cap, I remember the little things.“Let’s all think about coach Roby and let’s all remember the little things.”Davis said football, baseball and basketball are the hook to draw kids in, but the goal is to help them become leaders, who value academics, and conduct themselves like gentleman.“A lot of these kids come from single-parent homes where they are lacking a male role model,” Davis said. “This weekend the kids got to see so many successful men who set an example.”The golf tournament took place Friday at the Hermitage Golf Club. More than 200 participants enjoyed the festivities, including the chance to interact with former football stars Jim Brown and Archie Griffin.It’s the fifth year Backfield in Motion has been in existence and put on the clinic. Davis said the numbers are staying roughly the same, at 180 participants, but he’s seeing more kids stay in the program.“What we’re seeing is more seventh, eighth and ninth-graders coming back,” Davis said.Former Notre Dame and NFL star Ross Browner replaced Roby as vice president of community and corporate development. Davis said the program remains strong and committed to Roby’s legacy.“I don’t think any of these guys flew out here for any reason other than to help kids,” Davis said. “We had the big golf tournament and all that stuff. We would do the camp without the tournament. The camp is the most important thing we do here.”
By Nate Rau