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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The game-day selection of Texas A&M University's |
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"12th Man" remains one of college football's most inspirational |
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traditions, and sophomore Nick LaMantia earned the privilege of |
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wearing the coveted No. 12 Aggie jersey for 11 of the team's 13 |
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games during the 2006 season; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. LaMantia epitomizes the essence of the "12th |
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Man" through his enthusiasm, determination, and competitive |
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spirit; the walk-on from Mission proudly sported the famed maroon |
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and white jersey as a member of the team's kickoff squad and was |
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"miked up" for an ESPN GameDay segment that aired before the A&M-OU |
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game on November 4, 2006; in serving as the "12th Man," he continues |
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the unique tradition that dates back to a 1922 Aggie victory against |
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Centre College, then the nation's top-ranked college football team, |
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in the Dixie Classic in Dallas; and |
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WHEREAS, It was during that game that Coach Dana X. Bible |
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called on reserve E. King Gill to suit up after a number of injuries |
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had left the Aggie football team shorthanded and on the verge of |
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losing its hard-won advantage over the defending national |
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champions; although Mr. Gill never entered the game, the image of |
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the full-time basketball and part-time football player standing on |
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the sideline, padded leather helmet in hand, resonated with Aggie |
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faithful and gave birth to the tradition that still exists today; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, The role of the "12th Man" has evolved throughout |
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the years since that seminal moment in Aggie football lore; during |
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the Jackie Sherrill era, for example, the Aggies successfully |
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fielded a "12th Man" kickoff team exclusively composed of |
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nonscholarship athletes; and |
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WHEREAS, Various factors led to the eventual erosion of Coach |
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Sherrill's popular contribution to "12th Man" history, and today a |
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single player maintains the legacy by donning No. 12 and taking the |
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field for kickoffs with 10 teammates; meanwhile, the student body |
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continues to celebrate the tradition by standing throughout the |
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game, a gesture reminiscent of E. King Gill standing on the Aggie |
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sideline in 1922, prepared to step in and help his team at a |
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moment's notice; and |
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WHEREAS, Wearing the "12th Man" jersey is the goal of every |
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walk-on player on the Aggie football team, and Nick LaMantia has |
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upheld the spirit and ideals of this unique honor with the utmost |
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integrity; his contributions as "12th Man," as well as those of past |
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honorees, are an important reminder of the role played by the |
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supporters of Texas A&M University's football team, and his |
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commitment to excellence has earned him the respect of his family, |
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friends, and fellow athletes; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 80th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize Nick LaMantia for demonstrating |
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excellence as the Aggies' main "12th Man" during the 2006 season and |
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extend best wishes to him for continued success in all his |
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endeavors; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Mr. LaMantia as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |