To tell you the truth, I can’t remember the first time I picked up a ball, regardless of whether it was a football, basketball, or baseball. I grew up near Parrish, Ala., but didn’t live in a neighborhood, so I usually played football with myself, throwing the ball up into the air, running under it, catching it. That evolved when I got into school, and in the second grade, I started playing tackle football.
I think back to my childhood Saturdays playing football in the yard while listening to the ‘Bama game on the radio, trying to reenact what I was hearing. The Bear Bryant Show was on after church on Sundays at 1-1:30, then, from 1:30-2, the Auburn coach’s show was on. I would always watch Monday Night Football, too. I just loved sports—consumed sports. It was my deal.
Although I’m known today for playing wide receiver for The University of Alabama, my first love was basketball. In 1986, when I was in the eighth grade, I was on coach Greg Tinker’s first basketball team at Maddox Middle School in the town of Jasper. I had a blast! We were a great team and actually won the county. Playing was great, but the camaraderie we had on that team was really outstanding. Sometimes we would spend the night at one of the guys’ houses and watch the film one of the dads had taken. Those were great times. Coach Tinker and the rest of the fellows remain close to me to this day.
But my life changed forever one day when coach John Sasser asked me if I had planned to play football in the fall. I told him that I wasn’t. He then informed me that I was playing football and playing quarterback at that. I’m grateful to Coach Sasser for those words. Without his encouragement, I never would have been a football player at The University of Alabama, and I never would have gotten that 1992 national championship ring.
So, I played quarterback for Walker High School. One Friday night, we had a game at Central-Tuscaloosa. Alabama scouts were there that day, apparently scouting Central players. I played pretty well and must’ve been noticed, because soon afterward I was recruited by Alabama.
During the recruitment process, I went to Tuscaloosa for an official visit. On my trip to Bryant-Denny Stadium, my name was flashing on the scoreboard, which was a great moment. I was ready to sign with Alabama that instant. However, Mike Solari, the offensive line coach, told me that I couldn’t have a scholarship. He asked me to walk on, and I did. I was taking a huge chance, but, if I didn’t take it, I would have “what-ifs” for the rest of my life. It was a decision that I will never regret.
I was a redshirt freshman at Alabama during the magical 1992 national title run. The season was thrilling, (mostly because we barely squeaked through a lot of our games). But, of course, everything worked out to where we faced the Miami Hurricanes in the Sugar Bowl for the national championship.
We knew Miami. They were flashy and talked trash. We knew that, but we didn’t care who they were. We were Alabama, and we were going to win. And we did.
I didn’t get to play against Miami, though, but I wanted to get on TV for everyone back here in Walker County. Then I was struck with a brilliant idea. I thought to myself that if I were to dump the water on coach Gene Stallings after the game, I’d get on TV. We let the cameraman know what was about to go down to make sure that it was broadcast to the country. Well, we dumped the water on Coach, and then I pushed my way in front of him to get on TV—a proud moment for this Walker County boy.
This whole time, however, I was a backup quarterback. So, how did I wind up a starting wide receiver? Well, a week before two-a-days started in ‘93, Coach Stallings watched me warming up in practice and noticed that I was good at receiving from my time playing basketball. There had been a few graduations and injuries that led to vacancies at the wide receiver position. He called me into his office (which was absolutely terrifying), and asked me if I wanted to play receiver. I told him that I just wanted to play.
Roman Colburn, a fellow receiver, was selfless enough to teach me about playing the position. From my time as a quarterback, I knew how to read defenses, so I had a leg up there. I also did what my coach asked, and that was to give 100% effort on every single play, even if it was just blocking downfield. I came off the bench for a while, and then was able to start some games as a junior and senior.
To sum all of this up, I’d just have to say that I was extremely blessed. It also goes to show that, as Coach Stallings always told us, “All you need is a chance.”
Roll Tide,
Chad
Images by Al Blanton and courtesy Chad Key
