Tommy Rees had the kind of moment they make movies about on Saturday.
The back-up comes in. Tie game. Do or die situation, and wins the game. And if anybody deserves to feel good about it afterwards, it's Tommy Rees. He's had a rough couple months.
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First he lost his starting job. Then he made a mistake off the field that cost him any chance of getting it back. And somewhere in there...he lost the confidence of the Irish faithful too.
In some ways, Rees has nobody to blame but himself. He made a mistake on May 3rd. However, if you've met him, you'd know that he's not a bad kid. He's paid a much higher price for that mistake than nearly anyone in a similar situation would have. And he's handled himself with class in the aftermath.
Rees entered a tie game Saturday with 2 minutes to go to a chorus of boos. It was among the most embarrassing things I've ever seen at a sports event. A college kid getting booed on his home field is completely uncalled for. But that's another story for another day.
The point is, Rees has been battling the odds his whole career. And he keeps coming out on top.
Here's a kid who went 4-0 as a freshman...only to lose his starting job. Then, when given a chance last year...he went 8-4. And lost his job again. But when the Irish called on him in their hour of need Saturday, there was Tommy Rees. And he delivered.
Everett Golson will start again on Saturday and he certainly should. He was better in game two against Purdue than in game one against Navy, and if he keeps progressing he's got a chance to be great.
Which means that Rees may never take a meaningful snap again. And if that's the case:
For a guy who's been a good player and a great teammate, Saturday was an appropriate end to Tommy's era.
