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Cadet Ryan Kreider showed up to Gerald J. Ford Stadium on Saturday hoping to catch a Texas A&M win against Southern Methodist from the sideline.
He also had a job to do.
Kreider stepped in front of Der’rikk Thomson, got low and gave the receiver a hard nudge with his right shoulder, preventing a collision with Reveille VIII. (You can watch the video here.)
RELATED: Texas A&M mascot Reveille VIII to retire
The young man didn’t have time to react, but never could’ve imagined he’d become famous for a few days. Because of his actions, which are being described as “heroic” without irony in the media, Brigadier General Joe E. Ramirez, the Commandant of Texas A&M’s Corps of Cadets, will purchase Kreider’s senior boots.
From the Commandant’s Facebook page:
Cadet Ryan Kreider made ALL Aggies VERY proud today! What a selfless way for a cadet to take care of our beloved mascot, Miss Reveille. As a result, the Commandant is going to buy Ryan’s Senior Boots. Fellow cadets can give him junior/senior privileges as they deem appropriate, but I am so proud of what he did, that I’m willing to do something a little more “substantial” to show the appreciation of ALL Aggies for his selfless act. Ryan, thanks for being such a superb example of what being a member of the Corps of Cadets and being an Aggie is all about! Your senior boots are now compliments of the Commandant! Well done, Ryan! Aggie nation is VERY proud of you!
The boots, only worn after the end of a cadet’s junior year, can cost upwards of $1,000. It’s one of A&M’s many quirky and unique traditions, which you can read about here.
Between the move to the SEC, Johnny Football, the trademarks, Kevin Sumlin’s Swagcopter, the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band, the 12th Man, a renovated Kyle Field, one of the most exciting offenses in college football, quarterbacks trademarking nicknames and cadet-saving mascots, Texas A&M’s program is plenty entertaining right now.
An itinerant journalist, Christopher has moved between states 11 times in seven years. Formally an injury-prone Division I 800-meter specialist, he now wanders the Rockies in search of high peaks.
