Lots of folks have been talking about the phenomenal recent performances of Roy Upchurch, our tough Junior running back.  I think we can all agree that redshirting Roy back in 2005 was the perfect decision by Coach Shula, as he has matured into a sturdy mainstay of this powerful Tide team.  I was punching the air just last  Saturday, yelling "ROY!  ROY!" as he barreled up the field against Georgia, glad that he has become who he is.

I've been thinking about the guts he has on the field, and started looking a bit into his past.  His official profile notes that Roy:

". . . spent his last three Christmas holiday seasons collecting donations from local businesses for local senior citizens. Donations have included blankets, space heaters, household items, gift cards and non-perishable food items.

"Upchurch continues this tradition in honor of his late grandmother, Gladys Garner, whom he took care of for 18 months before she passed away in 2001."

Roy was only born in '85--that means he was taking care of his grandmother when he was just fifteen.    

Roy Upchurch shows a lot of guts on the field, but after you look into his past, that's no surprise at all.  He was a man before he ever put on that Crimson number 5.