AUBURN, Ala. – Teammates on Auburn's 1984 football team, Rodney Garner and Rev. Chette Williams are still working together for their alma mater.
Their vocations may be different – Garner coaches while Williams ministers – but their combined impact on student-athletes lasts a lifetime.
Garner, Auburn's associate head coach, is this year's recipient of the Jack Meagher Award, given to a person with Auburn University affiliation who has made significant contributions to society through athletics.
Williams, Auburn's team chaplain, is the winner of the James Owens Courage Award, presented annually to a current or former Auburn football player who has displayed courage in the face of adversity, distinguishing himself while contributing to the betterment of Auburn University.
"I'm very humbled by this prestigious award," said Garner, who coaches Auburn's defensive linemen. "I look at that fraternity of the brothers who have won this award and I'm not quite sure that I deserve to be in that company. I'm just so honored to be an Auburn man, and to receive this honor is very humbling."
Garner first visited Auburn in 1983, his senior year at Leeds High School near Birmingham, because his high school teammates wanted to see the Tigers play Maryland's Boomer Esiason.
"It was just something about the first time I came on campus, it was just so different," said Garner, who had been committed to an SEC rival. "I fell in love with Auburn that first time."
Other than his cousin, Auburn basketball legend Charles Barkley, Garner was the first in his family to attend college.
"I think about the role athletics has played in my life and the role that Auburn has played in my life. Without either one of them, I don't know where I would be. It's just amazing what athletics can do."
Garner began his coaching career at Auburn under Pat Dye in 1990. An SEC assistant coach for nearly three decades, he returned to the Plains in 2013 to join Gus Malzahn's staff.
"That's the reason why I got into this was to try and make a difference in young men's lives," said Garner, who has coached more than 30 NFL players, including six first-round draft picks. "I never imagined that I would have the success that I've had in it. I didn't do it for recognition. I just wanted to make a difference, like Coach Dye and his staff have made a difference in my life."
In his 20th season as Auburn's chaplain, Williams provides spiritual instruction and encouragement to Auburn's student-athletes, coaches and staff.
"It's quite an honor for me because I knew James a long time. When I played football at Auburn, James was a GA for a couple years," Williams said of Auburn's first African-American scholarship football player.
When Williams entered the ministry, Owens, a pastor himself, mentored him.
"I'm so appreciative of the Owens family for considering me as a recipient of this award," Williams said. "James Owens modeled for all of us courage and faith in the face of life's challenges.
"Ministers are humans, too. There's been a lot of challenges in my life. I look back on all the adversity, all the struggles, and I thank God for them, because they've made me who I am today."
Coach G and Brother Chette. Two Auburn men who embody the principle of passing it on, pouring into Auburn's football players with the same passion that their coaches invested in them.
Rev. Chette Williams receives the James Owens Courage Award from Gloria Owens. Photo: Anthony Hall/Auburn Athletics
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer
Auburn Men: Rodney Garner, Chette Williams earn Meagher, Owens awards
