You’ve heard Rowdy Gaines call some of the greatest finishes in swimming history. Phelps over Cavic, Lezak over Alain Bernard…
Now, hear Rowdy Gaines call one of the greatest all-time finishes in football history.
The Auburn-Alabama football game on Saturday night ended on one of those flukish plays that happens once every couple of seasons at any point in any game, but is even more incredible when it’s in a game that is one of the biggest rivalries in the country, in the last play of a tied game, with a spot in the SEC Championship game (and perhaps the NCAA Championship game) on the line. The play was even crazier, in that the game could have ended in a tie, but the Alabama coaches successfully appealed for a second to be put back on the clock just so that they can attempt the field goal.
It’s one of the little-known rules in football, because it happens so infrequently, but on a missed field goal, the defending team has the opportunity to catch the ball and run it back. Usually, it doesn’t matter, because missed field goals go out of play, but on Alabama’s 57-yard attempt, it was the length, not the aim, that was the factor, and so Auburn’s Chris Davis caught the ball, and with blockers leading his way, returned it all the way for a touchdown and a 34-28 Auburn victory.
Rowdy’s wife Judy, enjoying her husband’s pacing and sweaty palms, had the camera turned on the most famous voice in Olympic sports, and caught Rowdy go from an absolute nervous wreck to an unstoppable walking exclamation. For those unaware, Rowdy was an All-American swimmer at Auburn.
One more reminder of how lucky we are to have people like Rowdy in swimming. His enthusiasm for things he loves is incredible, and swimming is fortunately one of those things.
Watch a poorly-bootlegged video of the play below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_3C4qRG-Hg
Thanks Braden! One of the reasons we all love Rowdy…
still has a kid’s excitement for sports!
LOVE LOVE LOVE our Rowdy!! I would have expected no less ; )
rowdy’s reaction is priceless!
How funny…..I watched the game and the finish was unbelievable. I’m not a Bama or Auburn fan, but I was yelling “Auburn’s gonna win, Auburn’s gonna win” at my TV too.
The finish of this game will live on for decades.
Two unbelievable finishes for AU in the UGA game (boooo) and yesterday. Must be War Eagles year.
Yesterday was a great day to be a couch potato. That was truly one of the best finishes in college football history – A storied rivalry, ‘Bama #1 ranked, and a finish by the underdog home team beyond the imagination of anyone except the Auburn special teams coach!
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
He’s too funny! So much enthusiasm!
When I watch some races on youtube with Rowdy Gaines, I can say his passion is contagious.
Honestly, you are fortunate in USA to have him as swimming specialist for TV.
When I compare with Roxana Maracineanu, Malia Metella or Michel Rousseau here in France. 😥
0-3 for FGs prior to that abomination? ‘bama should have taken a knee and sent the game into overtime…#tightgameslostbecauseoneteamwentforitinthewaningsecondsofthefourthquarter #facepalm