Sunday, January 03, 2010

Alamo Bowl: Action ON The Sidelines and IN The Stands

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2010 TexSport Publications

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS (January 3, 2010) There was as much excitement on the sidelines and in the stands as there was on the field at the 2010 Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, where Texas Tech faced Michigan State.

Adam James, the Texas Tech inside receiver who is one of the principles in the firing of former Texas Tech head football coach Mike Leach, was on the sidelines and was receiving as much attention as the game.

James did not suit up for the game, but was clearly visible wearing his number 82 jersey and sporting a black stocking cap on his head.

Tech fans showed their displeasure with him; booing was he was both leaving from and returning to the field at halftime. In addition, fans displayed numerous signs and paraphernalia in support of Leach and disdain for James, Tech chancellor Kent Hance, and athletic director Gerald Myers

One man was spotted wearing a hat decorated with pacifiers attached, labeled “Adam James Commemorative Pacifiers." There was also a sign in the crowd with Hance’s last name with a slash through it.

Stickers stating “Fire Myers” were distributed by a gray-haired alumnus and were observed throughout the stands.

There was even a sign in support of Leach and critical of James, stating “Every Successful Pirate Knows Betrayal” hanging proximately behind the Tech bench.

A ten-year old was even spotted wearing a shot taking a shot at James and his family.

The ever popular pirate flags and pirate hats, symbols of support for Leach, were everywhere in the stadium and the parking lot, along with Team Leach shirts and other tributes to their former coach.

If James noticed all the hoopla, he didn’t act as such. He was seen surrounded by two other non-suited up players and two men in red windbreakers. The red clad men were facing the stands, presumably watching for threats directed against James from the stands.

ESPN showed James on the sidelines, but he showed very little awareness of the negativities at the game.


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