Waking up Saturday to a cold, dreary day was not my idea of a good weekend. Friday, although frigid, had been good. The gymnastics team thoroughly trounced the Razorbacks of Arkansas to stay in top contention for the season. So, on Saturday, I ventured out into the cold to see the men's basketball team take on Tennessee (who at the time were #8 in the nation). Wishing for at least a close game, I stepped into the Coliseum and took my seat. The game finally started, the crowd totally into the contest. Alabama took an early lead and also set the tempo for the rest of the game. Tennessee trailed early and could never find a way to get back into the game. When the 40 minutes were complete, Alabama had a 13 point lead and an ecstatic crowd. That alone was great, but the day was made even better as I left the game.

During the game, I noticed a guy sitting three seats down from me with crutches and a bandaged foot. It looked like he had done some major damage to his foot but something about him looked familiar. It wasn't his face, but his sweatsuit that seemed familiar. Could this be Tyrone Prothro? I really had no clue and had planned to look him up when I got home to see what he looked like. However, thanks to his friend next to him wearing a hat that said "Prothro's do it BIG", it was pretty easy to connect the dots. I noticed him give a few autographs and take a picture with one girl. Other athletes came up to him to chat. Wow, I was sitting three seats away from Tyrone Prothro! I had nothing to get an autograph, so the best I could do was say hi and shake his hand. I sat there most of the game wondering if I had the balls to do what I had planned. I knew I didn't want to interrupt the game for him, so I waited until a TV timeout was called. With Alabama already up by 15 and 3 minutes left in the game, I decided to beat the crowd out. I walked over to him and called his name. He looked up and I said "Nice to meet you" as I reached out to shake his hand. He shook my hand and said "You too." And with that, I turned around and left the Coliseum to drive home and tell my wife.