Okay this Part two is the main reason why we flew to Rocky Top. If you don't know the story of how Al came into our life, that will have to be a whole nother post. The long and short of it is I wanted to play baseball, he was on my baseball team and needed some help, our family gave it to him. He moved in with us when I was 13 and he was 13.5 and the rest is history. I call him my brother even though there is no blood relation. I would do anything for him and he would do anything for me, just like a blood brother would. We came together to celebrate his induction into the college football hall of fame. I can spout stats all day but the long/short of it is my brother was a natural born leader and he lead the Volunteers to two SEC championships, an undefeated year, and a National championship before being drafted first round by the Broncos. The weekend celebration started Friday night with a ceremony at a beautiful space in downtown Knoxville. Here are the pictures and some short sentences.
The space was beautifully decorated with giant pictures and the coolest turf with Al's name on it.
They had #27 everything including coozies, cups, and coasters. We all got goodie bags to take home and passes and tickets for the game the next day.
Arriving at the space. Andrew hasn't seen Al since he was about a year old so he was kind of shy.
Andrew and Al talked about football and life and he was SO good with him even when Andrew was a shy. My brother has had years and years of public life of kissing babies and shaking hands and he is a pro!
Andrew just soaked in the experience. Former coaches talked about Al and it was so awesome.
This is Coach Fulmer and Coach Chavis. They recruited Al and spent many nights and days at our house.
The ceremony was short and sweet. Al's speech was awesome and to see all of the friends who spent weekends at our house all grown up was special.
We had amazing finger foods and drinks and took pictures and headed back to the hotel. The game was at 11 the next morning so we needed to be in bed fairly early to be at the stadium fairly early the next day.
Al on the side of the stadium that faces the flotilla.
Al on the side of the stadium. That was a very young picture of Al.
In Vol village taking pictures with Smokey. He would NOT look at the camera.
Faces painted and ready for the Vol Walk. I love the traditions at Neyland stadium.
Smokey getting the crowd ready.
Leading the Vol Walk. Not my picture as I did a video. Taken from the Vol Football Facebook page.
Heading down to go to our box. We also had parking right next to the stadium.
My only regret, not seeing the band do their walk.
Our seats for the game. I have not ever watched any games from a skybox so this was a new experience. We had private chefs, all the food and drink you could ever want, and amazing seats with the PA announcer and a TV.
Watching football with Uncle Al. Priceless.
Watching Uncle Al being inducted while on the field at neyland? Priceless.
An experience he will NEVER forget.
No comments:
Post a Comment