Howdy! - Pt 3

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV).

Aggies are “the 12th Man.” A&M students stand throughout football games in reference to E. King Gill in 1922. Before he became the first 12th Man, an Aggie by the name of E. King Gill was simply a squad player for Texas A&M’s football team — and little did he know that his willingness to serve would become his legacy, one that lives on more than 90 years later as 38,000 students stand for every Texas A&M home game. On Jan. 2, 1922, the heavily outgunned Aggies were facing the top-ranked Centre College Praying Colonels on the gridiron in the Dixie Classic in Dallas. Gill was up in the press box helping reporters identify players on the field below — and what was happening on the field wasn't pretty. The Aggies found themselves plagued by injuries, with their reserves seemingly dwindling with every play. As Texas A&M Coach Dana X. Bible looked across his rapidly emptying bench, he suddenly remembered Gill's presence in the stands. Bible waved Gill down to the sideline and told him to suit up. 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. Today, we stand, ready to help our team win. I find it more than of a passing interest that there is a similar truth found in our reading today. It is important for believers to recognize we are being encouraged and “cheered” to persevere in our lives by a great multitude of men and women who have already fought and won their battles. Many of their stories are written for us in the Scripture; and, there are many more we learn from the history of the Church. However, the real “12th Man” is Jesus who became our substitute in death to pay the debt we could not pay and live the life we cannot live. We look to Him and know every battle’s end is already determined. We have won! Get rid of all that which keeps you from running like a winner and run!