It’s not every day you get to see the 6-foot-4, 350-pound Terrence Cody rolling on the ground, dodging paintball rounds. But for the crowd assembled at the Splatzone Paintball Field in Cottondale on Saturday, it was just another day at the park.

The charity paintball tournament was organized by former Crimson Tide defensive back Chris Rogers and benefited breast cancer research efforts.

Rogers’ mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in August of 2007. Rogers used to visit her in between his two-a-day practices during his junior year and was energized by her positive attitude. He said her battle fueled his performance on the field.

“That’s why when I took the field, I played with so much spirit because I knew that I was blessed to have that moment,” Rogers said.

Rogers said he first got the idea to raise money for breast cancer research in 2009.

“There is a need for us athletes to give back, and how do we do that?” Rogers remembers asking himself.

While in graduate school, a professor of his, Sue Parker, helped Rogers plan a charity.

Rogers said he didn’t think the event would have been possible without Parker’s guidance.

“She’s amazing,” he said.

Rogers and his charity, Together Assisting People, worked alongside the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama to put on the event.

Kate Darden, a member of the foundation’s board of directors, said since the organization was founded 15 years ago, it has raised more than $3 million for breast cancer research at UAB’s Comprehensive Cancer Center.

She also said that all the money raised by the foundation stays in Alabama for research, including that raised in the paintball tournament.

And while no fundraising goal was placed on the event, Darden was still excited for the unique partnership.

“He was looking for something to do to involve his friends and the players that would be here, and he found out about this place,” Darden said.

Brad Smelley, a tight end on two national championship squads, was covered in paint at the midway point of competition. He admitted his team was not doing very well, but was also happy to support his friend, Chris Rogers.

“We try to rally behind our players when they try to do something like this,” Smelley said.

Smelley also said how proud he was to be a part of a team that does events like that and how it speaks to the character of the program.

“It just shows how much of a family-oriented program we are,” said 2009 Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram. “Some of us played with each other, some of us didn’t. But at the same time, we all come back here and support each other.”

Despite never having played paintball before, Ingram and his team, the “goon squad,” had a good time.

“I have a good team, so they’re carrying the weight right now,” Ingram said in between the action. “I’ve got my spot and my strategy down. If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.”

Rick Lee, a friend and mentor of Rogers, was at the event to support him. Lee helped Rogers organize the event and said it took many hours, volunteers and companies coming together to support it.

“Chris has one of the biggest and kindest hearts of any individual that I’ve ever met,” Lee said. “Hopefully, we can continue to do other things through his organization.”

Rogers was also appreciative of all of the fans who came to the event.

“We have great fans here in Tuscaloosa, great support and a lot of love,” he said. “I’ll never forget this experience.”

Cody, a former offensive lineman for Alabama and current NFL player, felt a personal connection to the event.

“My position coach with the Baltimore Ravens, his wife survived breast cancer, so he likes the fact that I support it, and I’ve got breast cancer license plates on both of my vehicles,” Cody said.

It was Cody’s first time on a paintball field. He admitted he was a little confused about what to do at first.

“I didn’t know what the object of the game was or what we had to do, so I was just out there shooting most of the time. Then they said I got shot and I was [like], ‘Ah, ok,’” Cody said with a wide smile.

In the end, Cody and his team, “The Untouchables,” finished in third place behind two local professional teams. They finished the highest out of the UA player teams in the 13-team double elimination tournament.

And while the action between the protective nets was just for fun and bragging rights, Chris Rogers understood it meant something much more.

“Words really can’t express the way I feel, guys giving me support. It all goes back to what Coach [Nick] Saban always instilled in us — family, teamwork and unity,” Rogers said.