Assuming he does not return from the portal, FUBeAR will always remember young Mr. Hinton almost as fondly as he remembers all of his own Furman Teammates who quit after 2 years.
Those are, generally, positive memories and FUBeAR is at least cordial, often quite friendly with them when he sees them. FUBeAR certainly wishes them well in all of their endeavors.
BUT…those dudes aren’t the ride or die brothers that FUBeAR bled, sweated, laughed, won a lot, lost a little, and even cried (misted, actually) with for 4 or 5 years, or even 6 years (pre-Covid); the men who can have anything FUBeAR has and would give FUBeAR everything they have 40+ years later; the men who have been there for each other as we each grew up our families, attended each others’ weddings…and kids’ weddings, and graduations, and T-Ball games…and way too many funerals together.
All good. Life is about trade offs. Wouldn’t trade those brothers for anything or any other set of experiences.
Things are different now. Can’t mourn what these young men don’t know that they are losing or be mad at them for, seemingly, cavalierly giving it away. They don’t know what they don’t know. They can’t value something they don’t know that they are losing. They think they are gaining. Maybe they are right. Furman is not for everyone…which is a good thing, really.
Good luck & godspeed, Mr. Hinton. Thanks for the contributions the past 2 years. And, BIG thanks for letting the mustache make its own decision to stay. Looking for BIG things from it next season!
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers,
For he today who sheds his blood with me shall be my brother