I know I’ve said this before, but with college football back, I thought it was worth sharing again. On January 22, 1922, during the Dixie Classic (now known as the Cotton Bowl), Coach Dana Bible of Texas A&M watched helplessly as his running backs came off the field one by one with injuries. As halftime approached, Bible realized he had only one reserve left. At that moment, Bible remembered a smaller player, King Gill, who had not made the traveling team. Gill had told the coach he’d be in the stands if needed. Immediately, Coach sent someone into the crowd to search for the young man and got him suited up for the second half. Thus began A&M’s tradition of the “Twelfth Man.”
Since that day, a series of “twelfth men” have come from the student body to be part of the Aggie team. Furthermore, since that day, every student body member stands
—throughout the entirety of the game—ready in case he or she is called on to serve. They may not wear an official jersey but are all part of the team.
It is incredibly impressive to see their entire student body behave in such a manner. The level of commitment they display toward their school, their team, and their tradition rivals that of many of their peers!
What gets me about this tradition is that most, if not all, of the student body, knows they will never step onto the field, play a down, or put on the uniform. Yet, they ALL stand, and they ALL remain ready. Their level of commitment is not based on their ability or activity. Instead, it’s based on their decision. They come to the game. Therefore, they come to play.
It’s GAME TIME, First Baptist! Our “Coach” is calling! We have our playbook! He’s gifted and equipped each of us with what we need to fulfill our assignments. And we’ve got an entire team surrounding us, supporting us. We’re never alone.
It’s simply a matter of decision.
Have you come to play?