SHAKEL BROWN

to prepare for. This forced the newly married Stidham to leave the morning after his wedding to make it in time for Sunday morning practice. However, his teammates immediately noticed a difference in the Russellville, Ala. native.

“I’ve had to drop everything to get back Sunday morning very early for practice,” Stidham said. “I walked in with a wedding ring on, and everybody was pretty intense. Everyone just celebrated with me. It was a really cool experience.”

Saturday marks one of three remaining home games for the senior, and those final moments are beginning to creep on him. With the clock ticking on his Troy football career, the two-time CoSIDA Academic All-American has spent some time reflecting on all the memories that made him fall in love with the game. He’s also been grateful for all the people he’s loved along his journey.

“If you had told me six years ago that this would all go by this fast, I would’ve looked at you like you’re crazy,” Stidham said. “Those first couple of years, especially my redshirt year, it felt like it was just dragging by, and I was just in this perpetual state of nothingness. You’re redshirting, working out and grinding. Now, to be in my sixth year, I don’t think it’s hit too hard, knowing that I only got three more times to play in this stadium. When it does, it’ll be happiness and sadness. It’s bittersweet to look back on all the memories I’ve made and all the friends I made through the sport. I just hope I get to continue making memories after this. My time at Troy is something that I’ll always remember and hold close to my heart. I’ve had copious amounts of support from all sides, from my wife and her family, my family in my dad (Greg), mom (Tina) and brother (Kyle). I’ve just had an amazing support system. All you can say is thank you.”

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