No Experience Required The #12thMan Kickoff Team has a storied tradition at Texas A&M. We witnessed it again on Saturday for the first time since 2006. In 1983, Head Coach Jackie Sherrill sought to connect to the passion of the student body. Appealing to the tradition of the "12th Man" ready to answer the call to play if needed, Sherrill held open tryouts, seeking to create a kickoff team featuring all non-scholarship walk-ons. An advertisement appeared in the student newspaper, The Battalion. “Persons interested in trying out for the Twelth Man Kickoff Team need to report to the Kyle Field Dressing Room on Monday, Feb. 21, at 5 p.m. No prior experience required.” 17 walk-ons from the student body were selected and given jerseys with “12th Man” on the sleeves. They were given the opportunity to cover kickoffs at home games only. All they had to do was be fearless. They made their debut in the 1983 season opener against Cal. Coach Sherrill called an onside kick. In 1990, after kic...