Dear Colton:

You learned THE lesson, didn’t you? Nothing in the NFL is guaranteed. And you displayed your education before the 2023 preseason began when you told journalist Josh Dubow, “It builds confidence that the front office and those guys have confidence in me to be the starter. It’s my job not to lose it.”

And you did not. It was #68 who started all 17 regular season games and both postseason games at right tackle for the San Francisco 49ers, and now you’re going to start in Super Bowl LVIII.

But you had to learn THE lesson quickly, didn’t you?

You were drafted and in THE LEAGUE, and then, after your rookie season, you got cut. You were waived and unwanted with one option. Practice squad. But you fought back, got back, and now a championship is a single win away.

You’ve always made us proud as an all-stater at Union Local and All-Big 12 as a Mountaineer, but Colton, your determination and your grit are inspirational on every life level, and we want you to know we are damn proud of you.

Go get a ring.

Sincerely,

Your People Here at Home