Even if you don't care one smidgen about sports, I hope you will read this post....
Yesterday, the number one ranked Georgia Bulldogs (from the University of Georgia) were beaten by Auburn University (from Alabama) in a stunner of a game. (27-24) Auburn was an UNRANKED team, which even if you don't know anything about football, you can see what an upset this was. Number 1 vs. No ranking!
If you are interested, you may read this article and it will tell you the details. For the sake of this post, I will say that the Auburn kicker, Alex McPherson basically won for his team in the very last few seconds of the game. (He also had an important field goal earlier in the game). Now, the thing that I want to make sure that you know is this: Alex McPherson went through some extremely serious health issues in 2024. He had severe ulcerative colitis and had his large intestine removed. His weight dropped from 165 to 110. I wonder how many people might have given up ever thinking of playing football again? After successful surgery, he regained his weight and then went on to play brilliantly in 2025. And his performance on this past Saturday was exceptional. Football fans were stunned. However, it is the inspiring story about him that I wanted you to know. I found a really nice piece about him on the Auburn site -
If you don't have the time to read that, I will tell you that Alex McPherson also speaks with young people who are going through the same type of medical experience. I really like what he shared...
"If I had to go through everything I had to go through to be an encouragement or inspiration for someone, then it was all worth it."
Now, in case you are wondering.... I am from Georgia, and I am sure that many Georgia Bulldog fans are not looking up info from the Auburn website today! Still, even if Georgia fans were disappointed after the game, they would have to admit that this is a KICKER of a story!
Oh, and his name might remind you of another kicker in the NFL, his brother Evan McPherson is the kicker of the Cincinnati Bengals!
Our leaves are just beginning to turn. (This was from last year.)
But I promise you that is Autumn for sure, it is time for football!
Well, I'm not a sports person and don't understand football. But, I'm a medical person and this is a wonderful story!
ReplyDeleteLove the bright leaves from last year too.
An inspiring story is the one for me too!
DeleteWell, we are for Georgia Bulldogs - but it was a wonderful story.
ReplyDeleteShhh.... don't tell any of my friends about this post, I know some die hard Bulldogs fans!!
DeleteI'm not a sports person, but it is always heart-warming to read such a story. Alex McPherson sounds like a great role model.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I tried not to go into much detail about that game for those who don't follow sports but honestly, the game was really something! And I agree that the young Mr. McPherson is admirable!
DeleteWell for an English girl you certainly know a bit about American Football. I have no interest in the English game they insult by calling it soccer over there, it becomes all about money but it’s good when the underdog comes out on top
ReplyDeleteNow, I am really a GEORGIA GIRL but since I am married to a guy from England, I have that English heart! I must agree that professional football and even college football has really become a different thing now, with all the money. Such a shame. Makes it all the more important when a good story like this comes along.
DeleteHi Kay! I used to blog until a couple of years ago; not sure if we crossed paths back then or not. I think I'm back again...and I'm an avid college football fan! (well pros, too.) Have a lovely week!
ReplyDeleteHey! We might have crossed paths last week and I wouldn't know, I am old now! LOL!! Happy you are back blogging! Enjoy your sports, there are lots to watch!
DeleteIt is always inspiring to learn of someone who has overcome apparently unsurmountable difficulties and gone from tragedy to triumph, so to speak.
ReplyDeleteLove the autumn leaves, even if they are from last year :-D
I had to study this photo to remember the location. It is at a park only about 2 miles from our home! We don't get out much.
DeleteGreat story, and even though we love the GA Bulldogs (when they aren't playing our Florida Gators, LOL), I am happy for Auburn and especially for this young man to have such a powerful victory in his life in more ways than football! Great story. And yes, autumn is also football season at our house as well. My hubby and sons love to watch. I usually find something else to do, but I am happy for them to enjoy games sometimes together when they come over. Happy times! Thank you for this wonderful story behind the story!
ReplyDeleteI can't really sit and watch football because there are not enough hours in the day! I have it on, and do housework and crochet too but not at the same time! Thanks for your comment!
DeleteHaha. What a story! I am so impressed with that guy. I’ll have to tell David about it.
ReplyDeleteYes! Please do tell David! If you look him up there is more detailed info about him. He also has Crohn's disease. He wears an ostomy bag on his left side so he is able to kick with his right leg. Inspiring, I think.
DeleteAlex Mc Pherson is certainly inspirational. He worked hard to come back and play a game he loves.
ReplyDeleteI wish him the best!
DeleteI'm surprised you are not singing 'The Autumn leaves, drift past my window....'
ReplyDeleteHow do you know that i am not? LOL. I always am singing a song, today it was "I Will" by the Beatles.
DeleteI'm surprised you like so many different sports Kay. I like a few but even with them they have to be extra special, like the final of tennis or something memorable rather than 90 minutes dull zero zero in our type of football draw. They do have American Football here though and one local team/ stadium not far from me.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I am interested in lots of things, not just sports! If you live in Georgia, the Georgia Bulldogs are to some, THE most important news item. And football in general, people just live for it! My Dad was a huge sports fan but he wasn't insane about it, just enjoyed it, he passed that love to me. Don't know if you heard of Jalen Hurts, quarterback with the Eagles, he played in London with a blood clot in his leg. It has now traveled to his lung. Serious stuff.
DeleteWhat an amazing story. I am always glad for someone who's had a difficult time when they can come back and recover and do so well.
ReplyDeleteI pray you are having a blessed week.
Glad you liked the story too! Bless you for your sweet blessing.
DeleteThe leaves on that tree are beautiful. We don't have much of changing leaves around here. Too many palm trees and pine trees. I don't watch any sports.
ReplyDeleteWe really have lots of gorgeous trees here in the Fall. I always marvel at them!
DeleteWhat a wonderful story about this amazing young man. Working in our endoscopy unit for the last 4yrs I saw many ulcerative colitis patients and if you could see inside the large intestine with this condition you would understand the pain and severity of having this. Not pretty. I'm glad he could rally back to health even if he upset this game for Georgia. Oh, my niece lives in Auburn and works at the University in administration. I'm sure she was happy with the outcome! Our trees are probably close to peak color. It's been a beautiful October!
ReplyDeleteDear Yaya, Thanks very much for this comment! I was hoping you would see it. With your medical background, I knew you would appreciate this young man's ordeal. Not sure if you read one of my replies to a comment above, but he also has Crohn's disease.He wears his ostomy bag on his left side and he kicks with his right leg. He married his high school sweetheart in 2024, so that sounds like when he was still dealing with all these health issues or perhaps, the worst of it came just after the wedding. Just guessing, but whatever, I wish this young couple the best! And lovely October to you, my friend! xx
DeleteIt is always exciting when the underdogs win.
ReplyDeleteHey Diane! Great to see your comment here! I agree! I didn't say, but Georgia normally trounces the other team! Their scores have been like 40-3 or 47-0. Scores like that! (Can't be bothered to look up exact scores but you get my drift.)
DeleteFascinating! Blight Rayner Architects. https://blightrayner.com.au/portfolio_page/glasshouse-theatre/
DeleteYes, it is always exciting when the underdogs win.
ReplyDeleteLovely Autumnal colours in that tree picture from last year, I do like this time of year.
All the best Jan