.png&width=32&height=32&type=webp)
The University of Mississippi Athletics
SPOTLIGHT: From The Grove To Vaught-Hemingway Stadium
9/13/2011 | Football
Sept. 13, 2011
By Morgan Adams
Ole Miss Athletics Media Relations
It's Saturday in the grove. Families are gathered underneath red and blue tents that are lined up underneath the oak trees. The Ole Miss Fight song rolls on in the breeze igniting spontaneous "Hotty Toddy's" among fans. Children throw the football on their makeshift fields and pretend they are Dexter McCluster or Eli Manning while their parents socialize. Traditions are everywhere and at Ole Miss they are strong, almost as strong as the fans.
Rebel offensive lineman Bradley Sowell is a proud contributor to Ole Miss' traditions and has been a fan all his life.
"It was always a big thing for our family to come to the games and tailgate," he said. "It is something I fell in love with at a young age. I remember walking through the grove with my football in hand. I loved it."
Tailgating is not the only thing Sowell fell in love with. The game itself was the most important part of the day to him. The senior from Hernando, Miss., has attended a lot of Ole Miss football games, possibly more than anyone else on the team.
"We counted it up the other day and I've been to 88 football games in a row. Saturday's game (against Vanderbilt) will be my 89th straight game," Sowell said.
Sowell's love for Ole Miss and Rebel football never lost its fire, and in 2007 he joined the team.
After redshirting his first year, Sowell saw action in all 13 games in 2008 while helping the Rebels to a 9-4 record including a win in the AT&T Cotton Bowl. In 2009, Sowell started and played in 12 games. He was part of an offensive line that helped the Rebel offense rank second in the SEC and 14th in the nation in sacks allowed (17). He also helped Dexter McCluster post the second-highest rushing total in school history with 1,169 yards.
An All-SEC second team honoree in 2010, Sowell was one of five players to start all 12 games (at left tackle).
This year Sowell began the preaseason with more honors as he was chosen All-America honorable mention by NationalChamps.net and first team All-SEC by several outlets. Sowell was also rewarded by his teammates, as he was named a team captain, an honor he is very grateful for and one he takes very seriously.
"It is one of those things that I didn't really expect," Sowell said. "I've always thought that I'd love to be a captain one day. When it actually happened I got pretty emotional. I know it is something my dad has always wanted for me. I just worked really hard, followed my dream and it happened."
Sowell plans on chasing his dream even further and hopes to play football in the NFL. No matter what happens he will always have his time at Ole Miss to cherish. From a little boy in the grove to a senior on the field, his life has been surrounded by the traditions at Ole Miss. Next time you're walking through the grove and a runaway football happens to hit you, don't be angry, you just might be in the presence of Ole Miss' next star athlete.
