Saturday, May 17, 2025
Lots of us Texicans like to remember the letter William Barrett Travis wrote as commander of the Alamo. Knowing he was surrounded by the Mexican Army and that his demise was imminent, the brave commander proudly proclaimed he would “never surrender or retreat.” What has been proclaimed as perhaps the most famous letter in Texas history has long stood as a testimony of the courage of the men of the Alamo and has inspired men and woman throughout our country to continue to fight, no matter the odds.
This past weekend I got a chance to witness a battle I will long remember. No, it was not a military engagement; it was a college football game between Vanderbilt and the No. 1 ranked Crimson Tide of Alabama.
I understand young men playing football does not equate to young men laying down their lives on the battlefield, but when I learned the story of Diego Pavia, the quarterback of the Vanderbilt team, I found myself enthralled. It is quite a tale, and his personal story of dedication and stubborn determination is something to be long remembered.
This is a kid who had no FBS or FCS scholarship offers when he graduated high school in Albuquerque. Only two Division II schools gave him a chance to play quarterback. Pavia played two seasons at New Mexico Military Institute, a junior college, where he fought off competition from two others to win the starting quarterback job. He led his team to the NJCAA national championship and was offered a scholarship to Vanderbilt. No one else recruited him but North Texas and UTSA. Diego was not a player anyone anticipated would be able to play exceptionally on the biggest stage of all: SEC football.
Vanderbilt lost 10 straight games to finish the 2023 season, but with Pavia they started 2024 with one of the biggest college football surprises in week one by upsetting Virginia Tech in overtime 34-27. Pavia threw for two touchdowns and ran for another.
The Commodores followed that victory with a 55-0 rout of Alcorn State, and then narrowly lost Georgia State 36-32. They lost to the top 10 ranked Missouri 30-27, in double overtime, and few really believed Vanderbilt or Pavia had much of a chance for season long success.
Alabama had just beaten No. 1 ranked Georgia in what many have called one of the greatest games they ever witnessed. Alabama was the new No. 1, with a history as deep as the talent on its bench. The Commodores had lost every one of their previous 60 games against top five ranked teams, and the Crimson Tide was a 22 1/2 favorite at kickoff. Vanderbilt had not beaten the Crimson Tide in 40 years and the cumulative score in the last three meetings was 148-3. Evidently, somebody forgot to tell Pavia what he was up against.
I have witnessed many an athletic contest, but I cannot remember ever seeing a single player lift his team on his shoulders and carry them to victory against such overwhelming odds. Pavia ran and he passed, and he led and did so in such a way if you have one drop of human emotion in your heart, you had to pull for him and the Commodores. He kept making one big play after the other and simply would not quit or give in.
When the final whistle blew, the Commodores from Vanderbilt had their victory, 40-35, and Pavia claimed his place in college football history and lore. It was thrilling to watch and experience the joy of watching a young man give it all against impossible odds. I became so excited for the young man; it was hard to keep from letting my emotions get carried away and tearing up. He had accomplished something special and earned his place in history. He never gave in and never gave up. He believed in himself and his teammates and had the courage to lay it on the line.
Kind of makes you think the young man might have been born in Texas, huh?
Thought for the day: Don’t be upset with the results you did not get from the work you did not do.
Until next time… I will keep ridin’ the storm out!
