The 12th Man Tradition at Texas AM: A Timeless Tribute to Teamwork and Support in College Football
The 12th Man Tradition at Texas AM: A Timeless Tribute to Teamwork and Support in College Football
I love the 12th Man and I am a die-hard Aggie since I was a baby. Mr. Jim Phipps offers a far more eloquent explanation of this cherished tradition than I could ever provide.
Origins of the 12th Man
During the 1922 Dixie Classic, E. King Gill, a former football player who was now on the basketball team, was called to the stands to suit up as a backup for an injury-ravaged Aggie team. He became the 12th man on the team, standing by the bench ready to support the team in case of need. This readiness to help has been memorialized in the 12th Man tradition.
Evolution of the 12th Man Tradition
In the 1920s, the Aggie football team had only 10 healthy players. To support the team, volunteers from student fans were called upon. One such volunteer was E. King Gill. In the Dixie Classic, Gill stood by the side lines ready to step in. Unfortunately, he never needed to. Despite the Aggies' stunning 22-14 victory, Gill stayed on the bench for the rest of the game. This event later inspired a poem by Lil Munerlyn, the wife of Prof. Ford Munerlyn, which highlighted the spirit of teamwork and support.
The 12th Man Today
The tradition of the 12th Man at Texas AM was born at the end of the 1921 football season. A sophomore named E. King Gill had been on the team as a backup running back. At the basketball-season break, he decided to focus on basketball and quit the team. However, when the Aggies were facing a powerful Centre College during the Dixie Classic, Gill was called from the stands to suit up as backup.
Gill ran to the sideline wearing Heine Weir’s uniform and stood on the bench, waiting to help the team if needed. He stayed on the bench for the entire game, and the Aggies managed to win 22-14. Gill’s readiness to support the team has been memorialized in the 12th Man tradition, which is one of the most widely recognized traditions in college football. The entire Texas AM student body is now known as the 12th Man, standing during the entire game to show their support and to be prepared to help if needed.
Modern 12th Man Traditions
In 1980, the graduating class funded a statue of Gill called The 12th Man Statue, which stood outside The Zone on the north side of Kyle Field. A new version of the statue was unveiled in 2014, and the original was moved to Rudder Fountain. Additionally, in 1983, Texas AM football coach Jackie Sherrill added another element: the 12th Man Kickoff Team. Ten students would join the kicker during kickoffs at home games, with one serving as the 12th Man. This tradition has evolved to one walk-on student serving as the 12th Man on home-game kickoffs.
Gill served as a military doctor for much of his life and retired near Corpus Christi before passing away in 1974. His eagerness to help his fellow students has become one of the most widely recognized traditions in college football, despite him never stepping on the field.
The 12th Man, therefore, represents the spirit of teamwork, support, and the willingness to help a team in its time of need. It is a timeless tribute to the school's core values and a source of pride for Aggies everywhere.
-
Should Parents Be Charged if Their Child Accesses a Left Gun? A Comprehensive Analysis
Should Parents Be Charged if Their Child Accesses a Left Gun? The question of wh
-
Exploring the Best Home Decor Stores and Boutiques in the USA
Exploring the Best Home Decor Stores and Boutiques in the USA Home decor stores