JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - Carson-Newman offensive lineman Dan Gallman (Naples, Fla.) spent New Years in New Orleans with the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team where he was honored at halftime of the Sugar Bowl. These are his experiences.
New Orleans is one of the most fascinating cities I've ever been to. It's filled with such amazing history far surpassing the commonly known Bourbon Street. Is it better than Jefferson City though?
Although it lacked a Lisa's or a Mossy Creek it had so many other elements that made it amazing. Allstate allowed me to bring a guest so naturally I brought my mother, Liz Hudak (follow her @ehudakfl).
We were able to explore a little the first day so naturally we went to the French Quarter where we walked down Bourbon Street and saw Jackson Square which was filled with amazing street bands, beautiful architecture, and jovial Oklahoma and Auburn fans.
We were able to be in the NYE parade where I officially reached the height of my popularity. The Good Works team and their guests rode on a float down the heart of Decatur Street. Naturally, it's NOLA so we were able to throw beads that we tossed to the crowd. We must have had thousands of beads and we ran out within the first 20 minutes so we spent the next hour just awkwardly waving at people who wanted beads (I couldn't even make eye contact with the kids because I'd feel awful).
That night I went to a gala (no idea what that was prior to the trip) and finished the night watching New Years Rockin' Eve which had Jason Derulo performing in the rain without a shirt on (not exactly my thing but the experience was cool).
New Year's Day was probably the most rewarding one, where we did our day of service at the Joe Brown Memorial Park. We were doing a football clinic and they had me and a few other guys coaching OL and DL. I channeled my inner {C-N football coach Mike} Turner and taught them to drive block but apparently cut blocking wasn't allowed.
So here I am getting' my Turner on when Tim Tebow comes and starts talking to me. I'm at a dilemma here, do I talk to Timmy T, my personal idol and former Heisman winner, or do I continue coaching. I coached, but he ended up helping out so that was awesome.
We had a great conversation about Carson-Newman and he knew a surprising amount about it {Editor's Note: This isn't that surprising. Tim's older brother Robby played football and baseball for Carson-Newman in the early 2000s. In 2001, the elder Tebow made 24 tackles, six tackles for loss and three sacks as a lineman for the Eagles. Do better research, Dan}.
The day ended with everyone going to the House of Blues to listen to a jazz band. I've always said, "I will never like jazz it's for old people." WRONG PAST DAN! They were killing it. I was blown away by the performance.
Lastly, we went to the Superdome where we were treated like royalty and I got my 2.4 seconds of fame on national TV it was a memory that will last a lifetime. I'd like to thank everybody who was responsible for me being invited to NOLA and being on the Good Works team. It motivated me to continue to serve my community and I ask that if you ever have the opportunity to serve do it.
1 Peter 4:10
