Troy University Athletics
Photo by: Edward Fieder
Punter Will Goggans is Still Enjoying "The Beard"
8/27/2011 11:57:00 AM | Football
The Beard.
It is unmistakable. It has been the subject of viral videos and ESPN features. It has had enough colors to create its own rainbow. It is one of a kind and known by all.
It is simply – The Beard.
Everyone has seen it around the Troy University campus and it, along with its legend, has likely grown since its coming out party at the 2010 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. Who you may not know is the six-foot, 230-pounder “The Beard” is attached to.
That person is Will Goggans, an all-conference punter for the Trojans. The Douglas, Ga., native is a steady force for the Trojans' special teams, entering his fourth year as the man assigned to pin the opposition deep in their own territory.
Goggans, along with his well-kept yet still massive amount of facial hair, is much more complex than just the ever-flowing mane that explodes from his chin and cheeks.
“I first started growing it out last June (2010),” Goggans said. “I just wanted to do something different… I had grown a mullet before, I figured why not?”
He took different to a whole new level. Festive might be a better term. For holidays he would dye the beard a corresponding color; red for St. Valentine's Day, white for Christmas and green for St. Patrick's Day.
At its peak, the beard measured seven inches off of the face and, with each passing day, Goggans garnered more and more attention. Of course, he was quick to relish it given his status as punter, which is a rarely noted position on a football team.
“I've gotten a little extra attention,” Goggans said. “For people to know who I am and walk up to me and say 'Hey, aren't you the punter for Troy?'… little things like that, I enjoy them. I do like the extra attention.
Of course, in addition to the newfound attention, Goggans notes that it's more than just something different he decides to do as it affects him and his opponents.
“It's my trademark… I'm a bit more confident with facial hair and that carries over onto the field,” Goggans said. “It might throw them (opponents) off, might confuse them more than intimidate.”
As of now, Goggans is hard at work growing the second coming of the beard, which currently measures two inches off his face. He shaved off the growth in the spring, the day before Troy's scrimmage in Phenix City. In its wake was a Rollie Fingers-esque mustache.
The task of removing the beard was a three-man effort involving Goggans, graduate assistant Jonathan Chandler and former Troy golfer Kyle Blackston.
The new beard has quite the standard to live up to and Goggans encourages students and athletes to grow one out with him.
“It's college man, do something fun,” he said.
However, the beard almost never gained the cult following that it did if not for the support of one man.
“Big E. Chandler (Jonathan's father) was my biggest supporter,” Goggans said. “He even grew one out with me. If not for his support the beard wouldn't be what it is today.”
So what's next for Goggans and his facial hair? Not surprisingly, Goggans has pondered plans to give his new batch of hair a holiday do.
“Nothing's definite yet,” he said. “I know October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. But during the season, it's more about the team than the individual.”
But even if the decision were to be made, Goggans said that it wouldn't be up to him what happened.
“It's the beard's decision… the beard decides.”
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