Long snapper Choate is new 12th Man

COLLEGE STATION — Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher has named long snapper Connor Choate as the 12th Man for the 2021 season.

Choate is a junior from Coppell who has played in 23 games over the past two seasons. He succeeds former linebacker Braden White, who followed Cullen Gillaspia in the hallowed role.

The Aggies’ 12th Man tradition originates from former student E. King Gill coming out of the stands to suit up and stand ready on the sidelines during injury-prone A&M’s upset of Centre College in the Dixie Classic to cap the 1921 season — nearly 100 years ago.

“It’s very important because of the tradition and history here, and I take it very seriously and our staff takes it very seriously,” Fisher said during camp of the process of choosing a 12th Man. “… (It’s) your actions speak so loud I can’t hear what you say … and when you become that guy you better understand everything that goes with it, not just playing on the field, and that’s very important to all of us.”