Alabama Football G07 vs Texas A&M 2014
Alabama running back Kenyan Drake (17) works around the field on his scooter and Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pies before Saturday's game with Texas A&M.
(Vasha Hunt/vhunt@al.com)
TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- On the sideline, Kenyan Drake was living it up Saturday afternoon. Dressed in his crimson No. 17 jersey, the Alabama running back was with his teammates.
Only his pads and helmet were replaced with a scooter and some junk food. The injured speedster's legend grew a bit when he tossed a box of Nick Saban's favorite Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pies in the front basket of his alternative to crutches.
Two weeks earlier he left the field in tears after a horrifying injury ended a promising season. Drake's broken leg at Ole Miss ended his junior season, but it didn't kill his spirit.
He's been active on social media sharing his experience from the very beginning. The injured running back snapped a picture for Instagram as his medical helicopter flew over Vaught-Hemingway Stadium moments after the injury.
"It means a lot to the team when you see Kenyan out there having a ball, because everyone hated to see him go down and lose the season like that," fellow running back Jalston Fowler said. "But everybody's supporting him and being there for him. Just to see him on the crowd and into the game, that means a lot to us."
The Little Debbie snacks were mentioned on CBS and quickly went viral online.
They weren't universally popular, though.
"Nah," Fowler said. "I don't eat oatmeal pies."
But his teammates are happy to have him back in the mix as the rehab process continues. Drake won't be back on the field this season, but his presence is large.
"Yeah he's taking it pretty good," Fowler said. "Teammates (are) keeping him going, he's always around, everybody's always talking to him, seeing how he's doing. He's taking it real good."