Friday, March 29, 2024

Leader and legend

November 16, 2011

Seniors on the football team talk about their experiences during their time at Michigan State. They speak about how their time at MSU has impacted them.

Cousins focuses on community off the field

Kirk Cousins had just finished locking up his first career win at Iowa. He was beat up and rundown from a long, hard-fought game against one of the country’s most physical teams. But no sooner did the team’s plane land and Kirk was leading a group of 10 teammates to Sparrow Hospital to visit with sick children.

For the senior quarterback’s four and a half years at MSU, that display of selflessness has been the norm. More so than any football accolades or awards, he’s valued being a staple of the community and a servant of God.

“Ultimately when life ends, all that’s going to be left are God and people, so I want to make an influence on people,” Kirk said. “Football is secondary to those things.”

On Saturday, Kirk will walk out of Spartan Stadium for the final time in his career, and although most will remember him for his accomplishments with his arm, it’s his heart that’s impacted the most lives.

From the moment the Holland, Mich., native signed his letter of intent, he’s used his status as an athlete to make a difference outside of stadium confines.

Speaking at churches and schools, regularly visiting hospitals, participating in various bible study programs and hosting youth football camps are only a few of the ways he’s left his mark.

His father, Don Cousins, estimated while preparing to defend his team’s Big Ten Championship, Kirk has spoken at 25 various events since January.

Although he’s been nominated for several community-based awards, Kirk desires no recognition for his work.

“(It’s) not something that he does out of obligation or duty,” Don Cousins said. “It’s something he does because he believes that God has given him a platform to make a difference.”

To Kirk, who has never been shy about his faith in God or his Christian beliefs, he’s just living through the words in the Bible that it’s more blessed to give than to receive.

Since summer 2007, before Kirk even came to school, he’s been involved with MSU’s branch of Athletes in Action, a Christian sports ministry.

Working in the program, he’s evolved into a student leader, traveling to Colorado to complete Ultimate Training Camp, teaching student-athletes how to unite God, life and sport.

Through this Christian ministry, Kirk has given about 30 speeches in his five years, campus director of the program Phil Gillespie said.

Gillespie has known Kirk since he was a freshman and said upon meeting him it wasn’t long until he realized the Spartans signal caller was unique.

“True character comes from the inside out,” Gillespie said. “That’s why when Kirk came here five years ago, I could tell he was going to impact peoples’ lives and make a difference just because of who he was inside.”

Dantonio spoke about his quarterback Tuesday, calling him the type of guy who can walk in the room and make everyone feel comfortable with themselves.

“That doesn’t come along too often,” Dantonio said. “(Kirk) will be long remembered here. Not just for his football ability but for his abilities as an individual to impact so many people.”

On the field, Cousins has become MSU’s winningest quarterback

Once sixth in a line of potential MSU quarterback recruits, Kirk Cousins said he never would have imagined starting three years for the Spartans, leading them to their first Big Ten Championship in 20 years and earning his place as MSU’s winningest quarterback of all time.

Support student media! Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.

“You have dreams and you have goals, and you set out one day at a time trying to accomplish them,” the senior quarterback said. “I can remember after my first day here back in 2007 in the summer feeling like I couldn’t make it another day, let alone five years. I’ve always taken it one day at a time, and that seemed to work for me.”

As a starter and a three-time captain, Kirk has earned a 24-11 record — a 68.6 winning percentage — and with 8,064 yards, he is only the second Spartan to break 8,000 yards.

Head coach Mark Dantonio said in Kirk’s journey from a redshirt freshman to being the face of the program, “He’s climbed a mountain” with everything he has earned and all he pushes to accomplish. This season, Kirk maintains a 63.5 completion percentage with 16 touchdowns.

“He has 57 touchdown passes right now in his career, which is unbelievable,” Dantonio said.

Kirk is just four touchdowns away from tying the all-time record, but breaking school records isn’t what he believes defines a player or motivates him toward greatness.

“Right now, the records I want are a second Big Ten championship, a Rose Bowl appearance — that would mean a great deal to me, and that’s what we’re pursuing,” Kirk said. “I don’t think (records) define you as much as a player as wins do.”

Kirk has been determined to play in the Rose Bowl since it slipped through MSU’s fingers last season, and as he and the Spartans continue to win, his dream of playing in Pasadena, Calif., is within reach.

Because of his determination and high goals for the team, players said Kirk stands out as a leader on and off the field.

Veteran senior wide receiver B.J. Cunningham — who has been known to have outstanding chemistry with Kirk — said he’s grown very comfortable with Kirk on the field because he knows where every ball is going.

“He’s a general,” Cunningham said. “He’s the backbone of our offense; he’s the brains of our offense, so when he makes a play, we listen. … That’s what you’ve got to do with your quarterback — find the chemistry, find the rhythm, and that’s what we’ve got.”

Kirk’s chemistry with his wide receivers buttresses MSU’s offense, while his charisma and strength as a leader captures the attention of those around him. Redshirt freshman center Travis Jackson said when Kirk isn’t commanding the field, he’s known as a jokester and fun to be around.

After he threw the 44-yard Hail Mary winning touchdown pass against Wisconsin, Dantonio used words such as “leadership,” “maturity,” “discipline” and “toughness” to describe the quarterback. Kirk’s five-year experience is winding down, as Saturday’s game against Indiana will be the final time he plays at Spartan Stadium.

“The best word that I can put out there to sum up my experiences is ‘challenge,’” Kirk said. “It’s been a challenge from day one … but I’ve learned a lot about myself and about life being here.”

Discussion

Share and discuss “Leader and legend” on social media.