A National Championship Straight from Heaven

Yes I dare say Auburn’s 2010 National Championship was sent from heaven.  Wait, before you ridicule me, let me explain myself.  I have a very good reason for believing this and it is not about thinking God is an Auburn fan!

               All my life I have bled orange and blue and that can be attributed to one special lady, my grandmother Frances Railey, better known to me as Bobo.  To say my Bobo was a tried and true Auburn fan is an understatement.  Nothing interfered with her cheering on her Tigers.  On Saturday she would dress in her colors and was ready to go!  Sometimes, she could even be found in church on Sunday after a big win in Auburn colors.  You learned very quickly that you did not talk about her Auburn Tigers in a negative fashion.

               After Auburn’s Overtime win in the 2010 Outback Bowl, we eagerly anticipated what Coach Chizik and the Tigers would have for us the next season.  We were excited for the season.  In the summer Bobo had a conversation with my brother (he cheers for that other team) and said, “You know, I think that Cam Newton is going to be something special.”  Boy was she right.  Unfortunately my grandmother did not live to celebrate the 2010 Season with me.  After 92 years and 1 month of blessing this earth she went to be with her Lord.  I will tell you, she did not go on her journey empty handed.  Just before they closed the casket for the last time, I slipped an Auburn shaker in her hand.  Believe me, Bobo wouldn’t have it any other way.

               As the months wore on after her death, I dreaded football season.  Who was I going to call when Auburn scored?  Who was I going to celebrate with when they beat the Tide?  For the first time in my 31 years, a small part of me dreaded the start of football season.  However, I knew that if I did not get up and support my Tigers 110 percent, I would be “haunted!”  The first game was the hardest.  I watched it at home alone, knowing I would likely be emotional and I was.  I had her lucky Auburn Angel Bear that says, “Bless My Tigers,” with me for the game and every game after that but one.  I held on to it for dear life during overtime against Clemson at Jordan-Hare.  I passed it around to strangers during the Arkansas game, letting them rub it for luck.  She held that bear every game so it was my duty to continue the tradition. 

I sweated through every close call, come from behind win, never losing faith in my Tigers.   That is until the first half of the Bama game.  I was so frustrated, as most Auburn fans were.  During halftime I took a walk in the woods to just think, not just about football but life.  While walking, my precious Grandmother spoke to me, saying “Elizabeth it is going to be ok, keep the faith.”  “We can do this.”  I returned to the house to watch the second half and most of you know what happened, Auburn 28 Bama 27.  Wow!  Believe me, I sobbed!  The next two games I never had a doubt.  I knew who was pulling the strings. 

Now yes my Grandmother loved her Auburn Tigers, but she loved God first.  She taught me to have faith in God, myself, my family and my friends.  If I keep the Faith, I can do it.  God Bless you Bobo, I will love you forever!  Elizabeth

PS: Thanks for the National Championship!