"They can remember me how they want," said Curry when a reporter asked how he wanted to be remembered as a North Carolina football player. "I feel like I'm a good kid, a great kid. I think I'm a good role model for kids. I feel like regardless of what happened, I'm the same person. I'm going to treat people the same way. "
That's so refreshing to hear from an athlete, especially one of Curry's caliber. He doesn't worry that he didn't live up the ridiculous expectations of the fans, coaches and the rest of the world. He doesn't concern himself with the fact that even though he owns all kinds of North Carolina football records, people still say he isn't good enough. He just wants to be a good kid.
Curry made up his mind last week not to play for North Carolina's men's basketball team in order to concentrate on his NFL chances. Although many might scoff at Curry's pro opportunities, it really is the best decision for him.
Unlike Julius Peppers, getting drafted by a NFL team isn't a sure thing for Curry, who is going to have to participate in all the combines and workouts he can to showcase his abilities for the NFL. UNC basketball coach Matt Doherty has said in the past that he'd let NFL scouts into his practice to time Curry or Peppers if they wanted to, but for both of them, that's not enough.
Peppers isn't going back to the hardwood either, but he's trying to strengthen his chances to be the No. 1 draft pick. Curry will need to show a lot more than his 40 time to impress the scouts. He's going to need to throw, and throw well. Although he holds the school's all-time passing record, Curry hasn't shown the strongest, or most accurate, arm.
His talent has always been his ability to scramble and make things happen. His 62-yard touchdown during the Peach Bowl was a perfect example of how Curry needs the NFL to see him -- as a Michael Vick-style quarterback. His football prospects are much better than his NBA ones, which is why concentrating now is a good decision.
One of the men who helped Curry come to his decision, UNC football coach John Bunting, walked into the press room of the Georgia Dome as Curry spoke. After Curry answered a couple more questions and got up to leave, Bunting couldn't let Curry's comments be ignored.
"I just walked in on the tail end of Ronald's comments," he said. "And I heard him saying he was raised well, and I tell you what, he's more than a good kid -- he's a man. He's a man's man, and I couldn't be prouder of anybody on our football team for what Ronald Curry stands for, the way he carries himself and the way he's hung in there through the really tough times."
The sheer size of the NFL and its draft puts the odds in Curry's favor. Dallas made the bizarre draft decision last year by taking Quincy Carter, a quarterback much like Curry, in the second round. So there's definitely hope he could hear his name called during draft weekend.
