Rome native Rick Sargent has lettered in college football, played for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Rams. He has opened his own biodiesel company and has become a well-known businessman.

On Saturday, Sargent was recognized at the Newberry College football game and last week he was inducted into the Newberry College Athletic Hall of Fame.

But the thing that Sargent is most well known for is influencing the futures of the you men he coached while at Pepperell High School.

“He was one of the biggest influences in my life,” said Floyd County Sheriff Tim Burkhalter.

Sargent coached Pepperell for about three years and was Burkhalter’s coach in 1978 and 1979.

“He picked us up and made us men,” Burkhalter said.

Burkhalter said Sargent built the team up and taught them how to be a solid and cohesive unit.

“We had a very small football team, but he had us believe we could beat anybody in the world,” Burkhalter said.

Sargent inspired his young players, teaching them they had nothing to fear on the field or in life.

“In times of fear in my adult life, in my career, I have remembered that. He gave us a never say die, never give up attitude,” Burkhalter said.

Many of the young men Sargent coached have become leaders in the community and Burkhalter said he still leans on his old coach for advice and support.

“A lot of the leadership tools I posses today I leaned on the field of battle at Pepperell,” Burkhalter said.

Sargent also coached wrestling and helped shaped six state wrestling champions over the course of three seasons.

He lives in Rome with his wife Ruthann. They have two adult children, Will Sargent who lives in Austin, Texas and Anna Sargent who reside in Atlanta.