tom.mark@gaflnews.com



TIFTON — Former Tift County head football coach Gene Brodie did much more than win 131 games during his tenure at the helm of the Blue Devil program.

“Brodie instilled a work ethic that prepared me for life,” said former Blue Devil quarterback Tye Cottle.

Brodie passed away Friday after a long battle with cancer.

“Of course, it started with Daddy, but he reinforced the fact that you don’t get something for nothing,” Cottle added.

Cottle became the Blue Devils’ starting quarterback midway through his sophomore season. He went on to a stellar career with the Valdosta State Blazers, becoming the starting quarterback after the fifth game of his freshman year and holding the post for the next three seasons.

“I don’t think I could have gotten to where I did without him and the other coaches,” said Cottle. “I think I had some talent but if they hadn’t worked me as hard as they did, I wouldn’t have accomplished what I did.”

Another former player was able to take Brodie’s lessons and parlay them into a successful college and NFL career. Todd Fordham, after graduating from the Blue Devil program, went on to Florida State University and was eventually drafted by the New York Jets and then traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars. After being traded away for a year, Fordham recently signed a one-year contract with the Jaguars.

“Coach Brodie was one of the greatest men I have ever been associated with,” said Fordham during a telephone interview from his home in Jacksonville.

“I have seen things that he has done that go way above and beyond coaching.

“I remember thinking at one time that football wasn’t fun anymore, that it was too tough,” Fordham said. “He came to me and told me that he knew it was tough, but the work ethic that I was learning would carry me a long way.”

In addition to the National Football League fame, Fordham also has a national championship ring from his days as a Seminole.

Fordham credits Brodie with successful college career.

“When I was being recruited by FSU, the coach who was recruiting me told me that he liked me and liked what he saw on film, but they wouldn’t offer anybody from Tifton a scholarship without an okay from Coach Brodie.

“That says a lot about how strong Coach Brodie’s word was,” Fordham said. “That meant a lot to me for Brodie to put his neck on the line for me.”

Fordham fondly remembers the last time he saw his old coach.

“I remember the last time I saw him, it was before the first home game this past season and Coach Brodie was by himself working on the field. I pulled up and blew the horn and he came running up to me and gave me a big hug like I was his son.

“I remember that he would have team cookouts, sausage dogs after practice on Wednesday nights and it was all done to bring us together as a team.”