Excellence in his Field

Richard Egsegian had a philosophy about coaching.

And during a halftime ceremony last night on the new field that bears his name, his best friend and former colleague John Caputo shared it.

 “When you lose, I want you to lose with dignity, because you tried your best. A nd when you win, I want you to win with humility because you remember what it’s like to lose.’’

Those words epitomize Egsegian’s devotion to his players and to the game he coached for decades. He spent countless hours on the football field, mentoring and encouraging his players.

Egsegian was Grafton High's head football coach for 32 years. He led the Indians to seven Southern Worcester County League championships and five Super Bowls, which they won three times.  

Perhaps his most famous former player is now a coach as well, on a more visible scale: Steve Spagnuolo, the head coach of the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League.

Spagnuolo was unable to attend, but his brother Kevin read his words of affection and respect for “Mr. E.’’ Spagnuolo thanked the town for the decision to honor his mentor.

Caputo recalled that in his final days, Egsegian looked back fondly on his Grafton days. “We had it all,’’ he told his friend.

And alongside him in his room was a football signed by players on the St. Louis Rams, sent by Spagnuolo as a gift from one coach to another.