There’s a new book out about Texas A&M football that lists—and ranks—the “greats” and great moments over the Aggies’ past century. Ironically, it begins by spotlighting two men whose football-related achievements involve neither playing nor coaching the game, and concludes with another man who never strapped on a helmet or blew a coaching whistle for the Aggies.
In between those passages are two- or three-page features about 50 men, or especially special teams, who did–and who left their marks, if not as legends themselves then at least as significant contributors to Texas Aggie football lore. Also, some memorable Kyle Field moments are conjured up, as well as recaps of games played elsewhere that figure prominently in some defining Aggie moments.
It’s all included in “100 Things Texas A&M Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die.” The 296-page book is written by Rusty Burson, who is the author of eight previous Texas A&M-related books. When he is not writing books, he is toiling at his day job as associate editor of 12th Man Magazine, the publication of the 12th Man Foundation, where he writes almost daily about Aggie athletics.
In addition to prioritizing the things he thinks Aggie fans should know, Burson offers some advice about what they should “do” before they kick the bucket.
First on his “do” list: “Wear a bow tie in honor of Dr. R Bowen Loftin.” The current Texas A&M president gets star status—and the No. 2 ranking overall—for his leadership in making the “100 year decision” resulting in Texas A&M joining the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Also ranking high in the “do” list: “Stay in the stands for the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band.”
The book includes a foreword by Dat Nguyen, the hard-hitting linebacker who won Aggie hearts and opponents’ admiration during the mid-1990s and continued his stellar career as a Dallas Cowboy.
In addressing the “100 things,” Burson gave himself the unenviable task of ranking them. In his introduction, he recalls agonizing about the rankings right up until the day he sent the manuscript to the publisher, Triumph Books. “What I tried to do in my rankings was to take an all-encompassing look of Aggie football that included more than merely the games, players and coaches,” he explains. “Thank God I can’t change them anymore.”
Contemplating disagreements with his rankings, Burson is prepared for feedback: “Let me know your comments, suggestions and even your complaints by following me on Twitter (@12thManRusty).”
Nguyen, who is the second-ranked player in Burson’s list, jokingly emphasizes he had no role in deciding the rankings: “If you have any complaints or serious disagreements, address them with Rusty, not me.”
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