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University of Minnesota Athletics
Change
11/24/2017 12:00:00 AM | Football
Change is inevitable.
It happens whether you want it to or not.
The Minnesota football team knows all about change and has seen a lot of it in recent years. Leaders like Steven Richardson, Jonathan Celestin and Duke McGhee have helped keep the team together through the years.
Richardson is the quiet leader. He is a four-year starter who anchors the defensive line with 42 career starts, which is the most by any offensive or defensive player on the team. His teammates have said that when he speaks, everyone on the team turns their heads to listen.
"It means a lot that my teammates would say that about me," Richardson said.
Richardson said guys like Brandon Lingen, Andrew Stelter and Payton Jordahl are going to be friends for life and that is what he will remember most of his time as a Gopher.
"I am most proud of connecting with this team. Just learning how to change," Richardson said. "This senior class has been through a lot of change and the way that we have dealt with it and adapted to it is what I am most proud of. You are going to have to learn a lot about that in the work field."
Celestin is the heartbeat of the defense. The linebacker is a player the entire team respects. Before the Nebraska game each player picked somebody they wanted to play for inside the team meeting room and outside of the team meeting room. Celestin was a popular choice.
"It touches me that so many people on the team look up to me and want to play for me," Celestin said. "I was shocked. I didn't realize that. We have a family. Everybody was there for me each and every day after everything I went through and I am very appreciative of the brothers I have on this team."
Celestin has dedicated this season to his late father, Frederick Celestin, who passed away in April. Celestin has had a lot of memorable moments in his career, but none matched homecoming. He took his first career interception to the house for a pick-six and pointed to the sky in honor of his father.
"That is the loudest I felt the stadium ever get," Celestin said. "Getting that pick-six at home on homecoming in front of thousands of fans is something I will remember for the rest of my life. I am going to get the picture of that celebration put up in my house."
McGhee doesn't like to be the center of attention off the field but is hard to miss on it. The safety flies around full of energy and passion, which turns heads in the crowd.
"It is just a genuine love of the game. I fell in love with football when I was eight years old," McGhee said. "When I am out there on the field I just get lost in the game. My passion just takes over and I just live in the moment."
McGhee is not only a hard-hitting safety but also a first-generation college student. He will be earning his degree this December.
"That is one of the most powerful things you can do is give yourself a good education," McGhee said. "It will be huge. I raised the standard. I have a younger brother and when
I am blessed enough to have a beautiful wife and children I will know I raised the standards. I hope my children will want to go to college and learn that there are ways to better life for yourself."
Before McGhee walks across the stage at graduation he will be walking out of the tunnel at TCF Bank Stadium for the final time.
"Being here has been a surreal experience. It will be a great honor to go out and finish the season with the guys I came in with," McGhee said.
It will be a moment that brings mixed emotions for the Gopher seniors.
"It is going to be amazing and a little heartbreaking as well. It has been a long ride," Richardson explained. "Walking through that tunnel I am going to remember all the good times and all the bad times. All the times that the team triumphed."
Richardson never knew what to expect when he committed to Minnesota. He was hesitant of head coach P.J. Fleck bringing a new culture. He is happy to have gone through it and said he is stronger because of it.
"It is a hidden treasure up here," Richardson said. "I got the privilege to be a part of it so it means a lot to me. It means a lot that I will be an alum here."
Celestin just can't wait to embrace those loud third downs one more time while donning the Maroon and Gold.
"I love Gopher fans dearly. I am going to enjoy it on Saturday and give it my all," Celestin said. "I will always love the University of Minnesota and I will always be back. I can't wait to see what happens the next couple years."
