Live Wire Blog

Tramp, tramp, tramp just south of the Columns

Posted on Nov. 29, 2007 by Chris Blose
Category: 2007 Big 12 Championship

If any sight best represents the surreal beauty of this Tiger football season, it may be Truman the Tiger doing the Heisman pose in front of an endless crowd on the south steps of Jesse Hall.

That’s just what happened at the “spirit rally” tonight, a last big celebration before fans and players head to San Antonio for the Big 12 Championship. The band and cheer squads got the crowd excited, though the crowd didn’t need much prompting. Anne Deaton, wife of the chancellor, danced with the rest of the revelers on the steps. Everyone ignored the cold and guzzled free coffee and hot chocolate.

“It’s never, ever been a better time to be a Tiger than right now,” shouted Gary Link, color commentator for the Tiger Network.

Several players spoke, and their personalities showed in their brief statements. Defensive lineman Lorenzo Williams played to the women in the crowd. Kicker Jeff Wolfert spoke quietly and efficiently. Tight end Martin Rucker (pictured above) said he couldn’t have written the season any better; fans probably agree since he stayed here instead of heading to the NFL. Chase Daniel was supremely understated, saying all the team has to do is win.

Crowd member Nathan Williams of Columbia thinks it’s going to happen. Williams has been going to games for 25 years, some of them as a ticket-taker or usher, and wore a jacket and hat covered with slogan-filled buttons from past games.

“I love ‘em,” Williams said of the Tigers. “I think they’re going to beat Oklahoma this week. I believe they’re up for it this time.”

Photos by Shane Epping

Nathan Williams has buttons from games dating back to 1988 on his jacket and hat. Coach Gary Pinkel (above) feels the love from the crowd (below).