Gilberry has his day

In front of a packed gym at his alma mater, University of Alabama defensive end Wallace Gilberry was honored Friday by the Baldwin County Commission, Tide coach Nick Saban and Oakland Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell.

"First and foremost I want to thank the Lord Jesus Christ, because without Him this wouldn't have been possible," said Gilberry, who was a star at Baldwin County High School before moving on to Alabama.

"Wallace Gilberry Day" was proclaimed by the Baldwin County Commission a day before Gilberry reports to Mobile to begin preparing for the Jan. 26 Under Armour Senior Bowl.

"I'm pleased and honored for you allowing me to be a part of this day," Saban told the crowd. "Wallace Gilberry is a great ambassador for this community and the University of Alabama, and his record on the field stands out. He is as fine a young man as I've ever had the opportunity to coach.

"He is a great player and competitor. Nobody on our team represented class, character and commitment any better. He is a testament to all of you here -- family, friends, teachers, coaches, mentors -- who helped develop him into what he became. He is the epitome of what college football is all about."

Saban also talked about how Gilberry took pride in his performance and always tried to remain positive.

"Everything coach Saban said kind of touched me," Gilberry said. "I knew that I gave them my all, and the fact that he saw that and was able to come out here today made me really feel wonderful.

"You go through life with so many trials and tribulations and there's times when you feel you have nothing going for you. If you keep going and keep fighting, there's always going to be some good in the evil, always, and the good always prevails."

Russell, the former LSU star who was the No. 1 pick in last April's NFL draft, recalled when he was honored by his high school alma mater, Williamson.

"I can remember just a year ago when I had my day," JaMarcus Russell said. "It is wonderful. It kind of goes back when you were a kid and the things you grew up for or thought about being and just being that guy.

"I can talk to Wallace and I know how he feels. He is a great person -- a great friend, brother, cousin, homeboy, whatever you want to say. He is a good guy to know. The thing they've done for him today I think is wonderful."

Russell reflected on the advice he gave Gilberry when Saban took over in Tuscaloosa.

"The guy coached me for two years at LSU," Russell said. "Gilberry always asked me about his offseason program and I just told him, 'You are going to get a real coach.' Coach Saban does a lot for his players, but when it comes down to in between those lines he is a different person, and I told him to be ready for that.

"As far as Senior Bowl week, I just told him to go in there and pin your ears back. The things he is going to do in this game will be the next step in the future of his life. I know he is going to do a great job."

Gilberry said he is ready for Senior Bowl week.

"Come Sunday and Monday, I am going to strap it on and show the scouts what I am capable of doing," he said.

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