$1 to The Anniston Star, and Joe Medley for this article....Jamie Joe Medley: Wishing more flights for ‘Spirit’
06-20-2003 OK, I admit it. For a minute or two before every Auburn home football game, this beat writer vacates objectivity row. I go down to the camera deck and await one of college football’s most fantastic pregame spectacles. I look around Jordan-Hare Stadium’s upper decks and find the raptor cage. A handler opens the door, and out flies one of nature’s truly awesome creatures. An eagle launches into her seemingly whimsical glide, scanning the stadium with her gifted glare. As Auburn fans hold the first word of their school’s familiar “War Eagle!” battle cry, the king of birds decides which lucky sections get this week’s close-ups. Then, she pinpoints her designated landing pad on the field and calls it a performance. No favorite team required. Anyone can enjoy eagle flights. Speaking from a Kentucky-raised tree hugger’s perspective, it’s about the bird, and nothing but the bird. Now, we hear that “Spirit,” the bald eagle that took over for aging golden eagle “Tiger” last season, could be ill and unable to perform this fall. “Spirit” tested positive for a respiratory infection that killed 11 birds in Auburn’s care. Her handlers want to assess her condition before deciding on her training. On the up side, a positive test does not guarantee that “Spirit” will die or even get sick. Still, folks at Auburn’s home games this fall might go without eagle flights. Here’s to healthy lungs, so that “Spirit” can keep inspiring hearts and minds. * * * ===== BRYANT And SHULA TWO Great Names ONE Great Tradition __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? SBC Yahoo! DSL - Now only $29.95 per month! http://sbc.yahoo.com ______________________________________________________ RollTideFan - The University of Alabama Athletics Discussion List "Welcome to RollTideFan! Wear a cup!" To join or leave the list or to make changes to your subscription visit http://listinfo.rolltidefan.net
