It was a special day for Liberty County Panther Richard LeCounte III when he received his Army All-American Jersey in a special ceremony in front of his family, friends and classmates on Friday in the Liberty County gym.

LeCounte will participate in the 17th annual Army All-American Game presented by American Family Insurance on Jan. 7 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. He received that jersey this past week and it was certainly an exciting time for the future Georgia Bulldog.
LeCounte talked about the opportunity to play in the game in early January, saying it is a real honor to have this amazing opportunity.
“It feels great. It’s a special, special feeling that not everybody in the world can feel,” LeCounte stated after receiving his jersey. “I know there’s guys that want to be in my position. I’m just grateful for everything that I have.”

LeCounte, who will enroll at UGA in January, joins former Panther and current Ohio State Buckeye Raekwon McMillan as the only Liberty County players to be selected to play in an All-American game. He talked about McMillan, who played in the 2014 Under Armour All-American Bowl, and the legacy he left in Hinesville.
“The legacy that he left here is the concrete,” LeCounte said. “He’s a guy that in his four years he made a difference in every game that he played in. That’s something special. I model myself after him and make sure I make a difference every time I step on the field.”

As special as it is for LeCounte to follow after McMillan, the five-star athlete said he hopes he left a lasting legacy on Liberty County as well.
“A positive one,” he said excitedly. “Something the young guys can look up to and say that I have been a role model.”
LeCounte was not the only person to be honored on Friday as head football coach Kirk Warner was presented the Coaches Plaque for his dedication to helping LeCounte be the best player he can. LeCounte’s parents Richard and Erica LeCounte were also presented with the Dream Champion Award by American Family Insurance.