A few photos from A-Day

Saturday the boys and I woke up early and got ready to go to the A-Day game. We met my friend Tee Drake at the Cracker Barrel at Exit 310 on I-65 at 8:30. It was a good trip down and we were able to park beside the baseball stadium. It was a cool and breezy morning but with the sunny skies, it made for a perfect day to watch the game. We walked down Bryant Drive toward Bryant-Denny Stadium and ate at Rama Jama’s. By the time we finished eating it was probably around 11 a.m., which was an hour before the gates opened. A pretty good line had already formed and there were more people who arrived early this year than last year. We also met Tee’s friend Ralph there. While they saved our places in line, Matt and I went and bought some bottled water. When the gates opened, I had a bag so the inspectors had to look at it and everyone else in the group got out ahead of me. They got our seats but I was lost from the group for awhile. It was like a stampede of red elephants on the way in. I finally made contact with Ralph and Tee and found our seats.

Matt and I walked down to the field level to watch the players warm up and take some pictures. I also let David and Joe walk around a little before the game began. The game itself was entertaining. The offense did better than they had performed in previous scrimmages. They threw the ball more than in the past. There were a few big plays. The highlight for David was obtaining autographs from Athletic Director Mal Moore and star recruit Julio Jones.

David had to be very resourceful to get Julio’s autograph. He brought an Alabama football that I had given him. He found out where Julio was sitting behind us. Then he realized that this pen was not working so he asked me what he could do. I suggested that he find another kid who had a pen and for them to both go up there together. David did that but he wasn’t done with the obstacles. David spoke to a police officer and some fans who told him some inside information. They told him that if he approached from a certain direction the recruits’ girlfriends would not let them through. They provided him with an alternate route, which he took. When he got up to Julio, Julio’s girlfriend tried to stop him. She told him not to bother them as they were trying to enjoy the game. David went ahead anyway and said to Julio, “Would you please autograph my football?” Julio didn’t say anything but he very kindly signed the ball for David, though. We all had quite a bit of fun and enjoyed ourselves. We got home around 6:30.