While Parcells vows he’ll be as demanding as ever on Glenn, the coach with a gruff reputation also made it clear his devotion to the receiver goes far deeper.
“Look, I don’t care if he plays another down of football,” Parcells said. “I want him to be successful as a person, to be successful in life. That’s what I care about with Terry. ... He’s a good kid. He really is.”
Parcells’ appreciation is centered on all Glenn has overcome to make it to the NFL.
He was 13 when his mother was beaten to death. Abandoned by his father long before, Glenn and his younger sister shuffled between relatives’ home. Then he was taken in by friend June Henley, who went on to become a record-setting running back at Kansas.
Growing up in Columbus, Ohio, Glenn dreamed of playing for his hometown school, Ohio State. He made the team as a walk-on, then earned a scholarship as he blossomed into an All-American. He turned pro after being named the nation’s best receiver as a junior.
Over the course of his rookie season, Glenn and Parcells began to learn to trust and respect each other, forging a strong bond.
“When you have a young man that has had the background and some of the hardships this kid has had, if you can be influential in any manner of speaking, without infringing, I would try to do it,” Parcells said.
In picking up where they left off, Parcells said he’s had to relearn Glenn. It didn’t take long, though, for the teasing to start.
When Glenn made two nice catches in one of the first workouts, Parcells said it was the first plays he’s made in seven years.
“He’s just being funny,” Glenn said, smiling.
But, then you scurried away and hid.
