Understanding that is the first step to appreciating Everett’s role in the Harvard defense and the Quakers’ complete failure offensively on Saturday. The senior, the unquestioned general of his unit for the first time in his career, could have more tackles or sacks if he played for himself, if he worried about his individual legacy in Crimson history and not ensuring that the defense as a unit keeps a rusher below 100 yards in a given game, as it did containing Penn tailback Sam Mathews to a mere 57 yards.
But that’s not Bobby Everett. That’s not the linebacker whose leadership transformed a defense which Harvard won seven games in spite of last season into a unit the Crimson has won nine games because of this year.
“I love this team, and I love these guys,” Everett said. “And anything I can do to help us win, I’m more than willing to do.”
—TIMOTHY J. McGINN