Team Nebraska gets fired up with pep talks from former Huskers

The beads were white and Husker red. They decorated the tables. They decorated the necks of the 281 Husker athletes who will be competing at these games.

Soon, the beads will be around the necks of other athletes and friends from other states because the beads were there for Team Nebraska athletes to take and wear and keep as mementos or give away as swag.

To remember Nebraska.

And their new friends from Nebraska.

Some other great athletes from the state gave Team Nebraska pep talks.

"One thing I learned in my career was to always compete, and you guys exemplify that," former Husker Brenden Stai told the athletes, who sat with their families and coaches. "Give yourselves a big round of applause."

Stai told the athletes that it's important to be mentally prepared, not just physically prepared. He told a story about the first time Pittsburgh Steelers Coach Bill Cowher told him he was going to start. They didn't win the game.

But they went on to play in the Super Bowl.

"It's not about winning all the time," he said. "It's about competing. It's the effort."

Former Husker quarterback Tommie Frazier told them to go out and represent Nebraska the way Nebraska should be.

"We're going to see a lot of gold medals coming back to the state of Nebraska from you guys," Frazier said.

The athletes cheered.

Ex-Husker and ex-NFL player Tom Ruud told them to remember to have fun.

"Do your best and that's all you can do."

Torch runners who've been carrying the Flame of Hope this past week throughout Nebraska walked to the front, slapping hands with the athletes along the way.

Said Missouri's Ronnie Lowe, a Special Olympics athlete and torch runner: "It's truly a high honor. It's been an overwhelming experience this past week."

Swimmer Brent Hoffman of Lincoln liked Frazier's speech the best.

"He was funny," Hoffman said.

Swimmer Amanda Marshbanks of Lincoln loved the party.

"This was very, very good."

Then she saw a friend named Daniel and ran over for a hug.

Nebraska has the largest delegation, at 281. All the Nebraska athletes will stay at Abel Hall on the University of Nebraska City Campus.

When the party was over, they walked there, beads around their necks.

Reach Colleen Kenney at 473-2655 or ckenney@journalstar.com.