After Texas A&M scored a touchdown to make it a two-score game against No. 1 Alabama, the Tide offense was backed up deep in its own end zone. After a three-and-out- Bama’s J.K. Scott had to punt from his own end zone, and TAMU linebacker Cullen Gillaspia came in and blocked the punt, resulting in a safety.
TEXAS A&M’S LITERAL 12TH MAN BLOCKED THIS ALABAMA PUNT TO GIVE THE AGGIES 12 POINTS
Wearing No. 12 is an old Aggie tradition reserved for special players.
The best part about this, y’all? GILLASPIA IS NO. 12 FOR THE AGGIES. Texas A&M’s 12th man tradition dates back to the 1920s — when the Aggies were getting pummeled by Centre College, TAMU coach called E. King Gill, a member of the practice squad, onto the field. Gill was sitting in the stands during the game.
Gill ended up playing the role of hero that day — the Aggies were ravaged by injuries and low on back-up bodies. TAMU head coach Coach Dana X. Bible called Gill to the sidelines, and the team ended up upsetting Centre:
Gill ran under the bleachers and put on the uniform of injured running back Heine Weir, who had been knocked out of the game in the first quarter.
Gill returned to the sideline, where he stood ready to play for the entirety of the game. When the last play was run, the Aggies found that they had pulled off one of the greatest upsets in college football history, winning the game 22-14.
And Gill remained standing, the only player left on the team’s bench.
Thus, the 12th man legend was born. The number’s now awarded to an especially hard-working player, often a special teamer.
This guy seems happy about the whole thing:
Shoutout to Gillaspia for making this great play, and conveniently wearing No. 12.
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