The Bodda Getta

I made the trip from Houston, TX with my wife & attempted to purchase a ticket after I left for the game (to no avail). I would have paid $1000 but was unwilling to pay $2000 for a ticket with 3 minutes left in the 1st qtr... Yes you read that correctly. So I went to the world’s largest viewing party with 30k other Auburn folks and sat with my dear wife and mom. My dad, brother and nephews were some of the 49k Auburn faithful to actually make it inside the stadium. They had a great time and we were happy and proud that at least some of our blood family was inside.

This may be the 1st Auburn game in my life (against a worthy opponent) where I can honestly say "I was never nervous or in doubt". You can call me a fool or you can accuse me of not being truthful but I was not nervous. I can't tell you why but I had a peace come over me ever since reading mwdeavers thread on Friday night (very late). I simply knew this was our time. I did not know how we would win only that we would win.

At one point late in the game I felt a great deal of emotion coming on and thought I might literally "cry tears of joy" once it was over. I looked around however as the final ticks washed away and a deep sense of pride being "Auburn" welled up in me knowing that if the rest of the world could see how Auburn people were celebrating they might feel a sense of select envy. Our people were having a great time, behaving themselves and hugging and dancing and just embracing the moment. Just as they had the entire weekend and duration of the pre-game and game itself. I did see a few tears of joy. I saw an elderly cpl kiss deeply and I saw young cpls high fiving each other. I know that sounds odd but it happened just that way and it all gave me pride knowing this was "My family". Some by blood and others by a common bond.

I'm glad to have made the pilgrimage via Las Vegas and to have met so many new and wonderful Auburn families. From the young man (Aaron) with the Weather Channel to the Vet School professors and their families. We met folks in the vending business, farmers, bankers and even a young girl (Kate - she works under water production) with the hour and a half show called "Le Rev" by Cirque de Soliel. We met teachers, lots of engineers, volunteers, pilots, logistics specialists and so many others I can't recall right now that I'm embarrassed I didn't keep a notepad or diary. A special thanks to Freddy Carney - Pres of the Las Vegas Auburn Club for putting together the 1st group of 4 buses to the game and to our bus Capt. Libba Brannon (Cam Newton Bus Capt.) for getting us all (minus one rider - hope he finally found his way) back to Las Vegas so we could catch our flight on time. Yes Libba, we still have your phone #.

I guess my point is this - Auburn has already changed the world. Long before the 2010 football team took the field Auburn University had made its marks on the world. The difference between Monday morning and Tuesday morning is that on Tuesday Jan 11, 2011 the Auburn family woke up knowing it would be looked at as NCAA Football Champions to the rest of the world. Now you know the rest of the world is watching us ever closer. So be a good sport, role model, ambassador, husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend, parent, grandparent, employee. Whatever you are, whoever you are, be better at it and especially in public. We are now on the world stage and this means I represent you! And you represent me!

I am proud of all those I met on this trip and to the ones I didn't meet; I hope to meet you soon.

War Eagle