We all know the pollsters have missed an opportunity, but it may not be the one you think. Yeah, I’m disappointed in the BCS mess, but I learned a long time ago to get out of a poker game where the deck is stacked against me.
More importantly, we live in an era where millionaire players charge the stands to pick fights with fans and where buying season tickets makes someone feel they can throw drinks and chairs at players.
Those of us who are fans of the Auburn Tigers don’t have such issues though. In a season filled with wonderful moments and memories, I am most proud of the character of the young men playing with the interlocking AU on their helmets because of who they are, and not only just what they have done on the field. The best personal example I can give of this is during the game Saturday night, Anthony Mix went down an injury and the Auburn team took a knee for him in prayer. This is not unusual as they have done it several times this year, even for their opposition. What was most noticeable to me though was that there was a Tennessee fan sitting within hearing distance and he said, to no one in particular, “Look at ‘em. The whole friggin’ team. They’re all doing it.” Now, he wasn’t commenting on the act of prayer. He was commenting on the act of unity and I could tell he wished his team had that spirit of unity and togetherness. I smiled and said to myself, “I am so proud just to be a fan of these fine young men.”
Yes, they are champions of the SEC, but they are also winners and champions in a much larger contest. The contest of life. I don’t need any outside validation from Kirk Herbstreit or anyone else regarding this. No one can beat the men from Auburn.
As for my Saturday, I’ll cherish it until the day I die. I got to see my friend David Housel and say goodbye to him as Auburn’s AD. I got a picture of my kids with my High School teammate, Randy Campbell. My daughter got the autographs of Randy, Stan White, and Jeff Burger on her visor. She beamed the whole day. My kids got to stand in line at Tiger Walk and give high fives to all their current Auburn heroes. You should have seen their faces. Shoot, after all that, beating Tennessee and becoming SEC Champions was just icing on the cake. So no, there’s no doubt in my mind who number one is.
