A Special Experience: Alabama visits Children's Health/Children's Medical Center

   Head coach Nick Saban and the entire University of Alabama football team spent their
afternoon sharing inspiration and cheer to patients of Children’s Health/Children’s Medical
Center Dallas. Joining them were staff members, Cotton Bowl Chairmen, past and present and President and CEO of Children’s Health System of Texas, Chris Durovich.
   “What a great privilege it is for us to have Coach Saban, and Derrick Henry, this year’s Heisman trophy winner,” said Durovich. “We are happy to be a part of the Cotton Bowl Classic each year, and it is a great honor to have a team like Alabama here.”
   Children under the hospital’s care sat at tables inside the Butterfly Atrium as they welcomed the team in joining them in arts and crafts including make your own pennants, elephant heads and paper chain links with images of a football field on them.
   Several student-athletes, including quarterback Jake Coker and running back Derrick Henry joined Coach Saban and patients inside the Ryan Seacrest Foundation, Seacrest Studios, to be interviewed and have some fun. After the interview, the student-athletes, Coach Saban and children accepted a challenge from Texas Rangers Pitcher Derek Holland to sing along to Aladdin’s “A Whole New World.” Coker then challenged the next celebrity guest, who is scheduled to visit tomorrow, to sing the Alabama fight song, to continue spreading Alabama cheer.
   “We are so appreciative to be invited here today,” said Coker. “It means a lot that we can make a difference to these children, and it is a very special experience for us.”
   Defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson, a Fort Worth native, was excited about coming back home and taking part in the traditions of the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, which included the visit today.
   “It’s great coming back home and having the opportunity to come here today and put a smile on these children’s faces,” said Robinson. “There is nothing better than visiting with them and seeing their smile light up.”
   During today’s ceremony, Director of Marketing for Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, Seth Klugherz presented Children’s Health/Children’s Medical Center with a check for $10,000. Following the presentation, Coach Saban came up and matched the donation in honor of the great hospitality given by Goodyear, the Cotton Bowl Classic and Children’s Health/Children’s
Medical Center.
   “We are grateful for to Goodyear, the Cotton Bowl and Children’s Medical Center for giving us the opportunity to be here,” said Saban. “We appreciate the staff who works with these children and who take the time to cure, prevent and help these young people have a better quality of life.”
   Each child who took part in today’s event received a gift bag from Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association and American Airlines. The goodies inside were an 80th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic T-shirt, a commemorative poster, a stuffed Goodyear Blimp and a teddy bear given by American Airlines. Dr Pepper/Snapple provided drinks and snacks for all guests and staff to enjoy.
-- Goodyear Cotton Bowl Communications

Alabama's players have some fun with the kids in the center's radio studio. (Photo by Melissa Macatee/CBAA)

Alabama coach Nick Saban joins in the fun. (Photo by Melissa Macatee/CBAA)

Goodyear's Seth Klugherz and Nick Saban (Photo by Melissa Macatee/CBAA)

The Kilgore Rangerettes were also on hand to entertain patients. (Photo by Melissa Macatee./CBAA)