How Auburn native Griffin Speaks made his hometown college team
The traditions of Auburn’s pregame ceremony only last around 20 minutes, but to Tim Speaks the time seemed to tick by for maybe just as long as it had taken to reach this dream in the first place.It had been four years since Tim and April Speaks sat down in their seats at Auburn’s Jordan-Hare Stadium. Section 31, row 36. They’d been busy on Saturdays the last four years at another school.
“It’s just surreal seeing him in the blue,” Tim said, pointing to Griffin on the field. “I can’t believe it.”Tim and April spent those four years away from Auburn football games to attend every single one of Griffin’s games during his time playing at Baylor. But when calls from the school first came, Tim had to answer one question that was probably pretty important for going to see Griffin’s games there.Griffin’s recruitment process wasn’t busy.
He redshirted his freshman year with a knee injury, Tim said, and did not see the field until the final four games of the 2020 season — including appearing in the Sugar Bowl against Georgia on Jan. 1, 2021. Sitting in his office two days before Auburn’s game against UMass, he thought back on raising his four boys to play football. And even though a miniature Baylor helmet sits on the corner of his desk these days, he’s still an Auburn fan first and foremost. It’s the way he raised his family.Griffin speaks dresses in an Auburn uniform for a Halloween costume. Speaks played in his first game for the Auburn Tigers on Saturday. Photo provided by April Speaks.
When Griffin played at Baylor, Tim said fans would update April and himself on whatever the Auburn score was that day while they were at the Baylor game. After his own games with Baylor, Tim said the first score Griffin always checked was Auburn’s. His experience with Roberts’ scheme over the last three seasons gave him a head start. Tim said Griffin knew the playbook “like the back of his hand.“They’re playing at your school, that’s the difference,” Tim said.
Griffin Speaks and his brothers pose at Toomer's Corner after an Auburn win. He played his first game for Auburn University on Saturday. Photo provided by April Speaks Tim didn’t know the depth chart had been released. He only found out when his phone blew up from friends who had seen the list on X, the social platform formerly known at Twitter.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Auburn report card: Tigers receive strong marks in 59-14 win over UMassHow did each of phase of the game for Auburn fare in the season opener?
Read more »
A timeline of Hugh Freeze’s first gameday as Auburn’s head coachHugh Freeze described his first time experiencing Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Read more »
Robert Griffin III tears pants live on ESPN trying to jump into waterRobert Griffin III tried to start the 2023 college football season with a “splash,” but instead, he started it with a tear.
Read more »
'We got guys': 68 different players see the field in Auburn's blowout win over UMassHugh Freeze fielded 68 different players in Auburn's season-opening win over UMass.
Read more »
Auburn gets commitment from top OL recruit DeAndre CarterDeAndre Carter, who plays his high school football at national powerhouse Mater Dei in California, was at Big Cat Weekend and now announced his pledge to Hugh Freeze's team.
Read more »
Robert Griffin III goes viral after pants rip from behind on live TVRobert Griffin III, the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, went viral on social media on Saturday after he ripped his pants on live television while jumping into water.
Read more »