This weekend as I traveled to
Abilene, Texas to visit my aunt and uncle for Thanksgiving, I drove past a
field of dead timber outside Ranger, Texas. This field had fell victim to a
wildfire nearly a year ago. The trees and the ground still held scars from the
fire. There were bark less trunks and dismembered tree limbs lying all about
the field. However, life was trying to reappear. New green ivy had sprung up
curling its way around trunks, and grass was beginning to grow anew throughout
the enclosed field yielding new blossoms of flowers.
This image made me think of the
Aggie Football team. Since I began attending Texas A&M University, the
football team always seemed to be going through a developmental process. It
started out in 2007, my freshman year, with the talents and leadership of
Steven McGee as quarterback. The team battled its way through the Big 12, but
did not kick up much dirt. Then, after McGee graduated in 2009, Jerrod Johnson
took up the leadership position of quarterback and showcased his talent. The
Aggies started to do a bit better, but were still not considered to be much of
a threat. When Johnson injured his shoulder during his senior year, the back-up
quarterback Ryan Tannehill had the opportunity to step on the stage and
demonstrate his all-around football talent. Tannehill, under the advising and
support of Johnson, lead the Texas A&M Aggies to the end of one of their
best seasons in 2010. Extraordinary talents, like Tannehill and wide-receiver
Ryan Swope, played football to the best of their abilities beating teams like
Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas Tech. I remember watching the team that season
and being floored by their outstanding performance. With the return of
Defensive strength in The Wrecking Crew and the seemingly cohesive teamwork,
Texas A&M found themselves elated by the football team’s performance.
This made expectations for the 2011
season high for the Texas A&M Football team. However, in 2011, Texas
A&M found themselves with a football team that could only play half a game.
Consistency was lacking and the fans and administrators called for a change.
Due to the performance and the actions of other teams in the Big 12, A&M
made the unpredictable move to the SEC. This was an action that many people
felt was a risky move. Many people know the SEC as the “conference of
champions”. Was A&M going to be able to compete within a conference like
that? No one knew, but A&M was determined to show their worth and talent.
A new coach, Kevin Sumlin, was
brought in to make the Aggies into an SEC football team. New kids from across
the state of Texas and the nation were also brought in to form a new and
improved team. After drilling and extensive training, leadership for the 2012
season was spread throughout the team to young players like Johnny Manziel and
Mike Evans as well as veteran players like Ryan Swope and Uzoma Nwachukwu.
However this made little difference
to the public’s perception. Since the Aggie’s first game was cancelled due to
weather complications, their debut game was against Florida. The Fighting Texas
Aggies put on a good show never giving up, but still lost to the Florida
powerhouse. From that first loss against the Gators, A&M kept up the
determination and spirit that symbolizes and embodies the Texas A&M campus everyday.
They won every single game during the 2012 season except for a close loss to
LSU.
The 2012 Texas A&M Football
team has surpassed many expectations, beating formidable opponents like
Mississippi State and Alabama. The team has been an inspiration for many Aggies
and people nationwide. America has been introduced once more to the outstanding
campus that is A&M, highlighted by its friendly hospitable atmosphere,
traditions, and core values that have been present and followed since the late
1800s. Now all the Aggie football team has to do is win tomorrow’s final
regular season game against Mizzou. The Aggies have faced this team many times
before when they were in the Big 12 together. The previous encounters have not
always ended victorious for the Aggies, but hopefully with the backing of the
Aggie community and the desire to end the season on a note of victory will lead
the Texas A&M Football team to yet another win for the season.
Now, you may be saying, “I read all
this and now know what TAMU University is and what their football team has
achieved, but how does this connect to the wildfire field in West Texas?” Well
I have the answer for you right here. Everything in life goes through times of
gains and times of loss. Throughout these times there is development and growth
present for whatever is experiencing the change that life has brought it. Texas
A&M is experiencing just that. Like the field that experienced and lived
through a wildfire, A&M has experienced and lived through its own obstacles
and growing experiences. After tragic times like the Bonfire or Muster days
when we remember the Aggies that have passed on during the last year, the
student body of Former Ags and current students comes together on game days to
grow and unite under a common tie, supporting the football team as they battle
opposing teams on the field. And now, as the football season comes to a close,
the student body must cheer on the players as they set foot on Kyle Field one
more time. It has been a phenomenal season of proving doubters wrong and
climbing the charts into the single digit standings. Now let’s end the season
on the winning side of the field. Thanks and Gig Em! Whoop!
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