I was replying to post 7.
Saturday night, Kerrville residents across town huddled around their TVs or gathered at one of the numerous Heisman watch parties around town, eyes glued to a moment 1,588 miles away.
Johnny Manziel, the Kerrville kid who dazzled the nation in maroon in white, was standing side by side and a few inches shorter than Notre Dame linebacker Manti Teo and Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein, hoping to hear his name called as the recipient of College Footballs most prestigious award the Heisman trophy.
Manziel was cool and collected on screen, but his supporters at home were anything but. Butterflies fluttering, Tivy fans who watched Manziel work his magic on the field of Antler Stadium just two years ago bit their fingers, sipped their beers and nervously tittered amongst themselves, making the case for why they dared to believe Manziel could shock them all again by becoming the first freshman to win college footballs most coveted award.
Its exciting that somebody from Kerrville is a Heisman finalist, said 28-year-old John McClellan. Its fun for the whole community to be out here to witness this.
Im a little nervous because hes a freshman, and theres a lot of traditional barrier that freshman cant come out and play as great. Hes definitely disproven that you dont have to be a certain age to play as well as hes played as long as you get that chance and do something with it.
For every fan who was afraid, there was another with confidence.
Im pretty positive hes going to win, because hes played an amazing season, said Leslie Snyder, a Texas A&M graduate class of 2010. He has great stats, (and) hes a great guy, so I think he has a high chance of winning.
Believer or not, every time Manziels face came on the screen, the crowd broke out in applause. Camera crews from San Antonio roamed the crowd at Wing King, collecting the moment for their audiences down south. All through the night, the anticipation grew.
Then the moment arrived, bringing Manziel maniacs to their feet in suspense.
Heisman Trustee Anna Donahue took the stage and started talking about the candidates.
And talking.
And talking.
Come on lady! Kerrvile was antsy.
Finally, she opened the envelope, read Manziels name out loud, and sent Kerrville into jubilation.
As the hometown crowd honked horns, cheered Tivy Fight Never Dies, and generally lost its mind, Manziel held his emotions in check as cool as he was in the face of Alabamas pass rush and claimed the stage to give his speech.
Then everyone quieted (a little) to listen.
Then he said this: To the 12th Man, to Texas A&M, to Kerrville, Texas, this trophy is for you!
And Kerrville lost its mind all over again.