Me + The Coaches’ Trophy

All social media, televison, and radio outlets are buzzing today thanks to Alabama winning their 15^th National Championship! The team is back in T-Town and so is the Coaches' trophy.

Last year, Scott Shepherd and I went to the Bryant Museum to see our friend and director Ken Gaddy and were treated to quite the surprise! Ken says to us, “Come here. I wanna show you something.” Obviously, I got excited think he had something new on display in the museum and I secretly hoped he had the 2011 Coaches’ Trophy.

As we rounded the corner to Nick Saban’s display, there it was, just as I had imagined it. Glistening in the bright spotlights that surround it like the North Star! This is what you get when you’re the best team in college football!

Scott and I quietly spoke to each other about how cool it was that we were two of the first people to see the trophy in its new display. I pulled out my phone and readied the camera for what I thought was going to be a normal everyday picture of a crystal football. Well, out from nowhere Mr. Gaddy pulls out two handheld vacuum suction cups. Proceeds to attach them both to the glass, lifts slightly and pulls the glass off of the display case. I thought, “Now we can take a good pic without the glare!” But to my surprise, Ken reaches in, grabs the football, turns around and hands it to me! I throw my phone to Scott with instructions on how to take a picture and I carefully took hold of the trophy, trembling and more excited than I think I’ve ever been as an Alabama fan.

I held the trophy tight; not moving it around in my hands for fear my bad luck would cause the earth to tremor and miraculously send the pinnacle of all college sports hurdling through the air only to smash into one million pieces in front of me. I held that baby for dear life. I held on long enough to take one star struck, frightened looking picture with it.

I have held the 2011 National Championship crystal football. Thanks to Ken Gaddy for the amazing story that I will forever share.

They may not let you hold it but the 2012 Coaches’ Trophy will be on display Friday afternoon at Walmart on Skyland from 4-8pm. You’re welcome to stop by, take pictures and have your picture taken with the trophy during this time.

ROLL TIDE!