A Texas A&M fan gives his take on the controversy

	The Twelfth Man has been a part of Texas A&M since 1922, long before the Seahawks existed. Photo by AP

By Doug Fuentes

"Texas Aggies down in Aggieland
We've got Aggie Spirit to a man
Stand united - that's the Aggie theme
We're the Twelfth Man on the team"

The saying around Texas A&M is, "From the outside looking in, you can't understand it, from the inside looking out, you can't explain it." However, the first lines of the "Twelfth Man Song" give a good characterization of what the 12th Man means to Texas A&M and Aggies all around the world.

The 12th Man was officially born in 1922 when the Aggies were locked in a tough battle on the gridiron with Centre College.

After the team suffered a number of injuries, head coach Dana X. Bible summoned E. King Gill, a student who was known more for his basketball prowess than for his exploits on the football field, from the stands to suit up in case he was needed in the game.

Gill never got in the game as the Aggies won 22-14, but from that day on, students at Texas A&M have stood for all four quarters at football games to signify their readiness to help the team when needed and the 12th Man has been alive and well ever since in College Station.

Recently however, the Seattle Seahawks have touted their own "12th Man" as one of the main reasons they were able to make it to Detroit to play the Pittsburgh Steelers, and it has irked Texas A&M and its fans.

Set aside for a minute the overlooked legal aspects of the whole situation (Texas A&M owns the trademark on both "12th Man" and "Twelfth Man").

To A&M fans everywhere, Seattle's 12th Man claim is a slap in the face. Other teams might have great fans, but to Aggies everywhere, there is only one 12th Man, and it resides in Aggieland.