August 21, 2000
Former Texas A&M quarterback Bucky Richardson, one of the most competitive players in school history, gave the Aggie football team a fiery speech after Monday's afternoon practice at the grass practice fields.
"Bucky talked to the team about the importance of hard work and I think the players took it to heart," A&M head coach R.C. Slocum said. "Two-a-day practices are a tough time for anyone, and he urged them to stay focused and push through."
Richardson also had inspirational advice for senior defensive end Rocky Bernard, who suffered a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament injury last week. Richardson sat out the 1989 season after suffering a similar knee injury while leading the 1988 Aggies to a 28-24 victory over Texas in Austin. Richardson returned from the injury to lead the Aggies to a 1990 Holiday Bowl victory over Brigham Young and the 1991 Southwest Conference Championship.
SLOCUM ALTERS TWO-A-DAY SCHEDULE TO SIMULATE GAME WEEK --- The Aggies practiced later in the morning and earlier in the evening on Monday to simulate game week preparation during the regular season.
"We started our afternoon workout at 4:30 today just like we would during the regular school year," Slocum said. "We wanted them to get used to the heat. When school starts they're going to be busy with classes and every that goes with being a college student. We changed the practice schedule so it wouldn't be a big shock to their systems when we start working out at an earlier time."