Former University of Alabama wide receiver Tyrone Prothro has been named Grand Marshal of the Crimson Tide 2010 Homecoming game against Ole Miss on Saturday.
Prothro is one of the most well-known football players in the University’s history. A member of the Tide football program from 2003-07, the wide receiver was one of the most difficult players in the nation to defend at the time and even harder to take down.
He became nationally famous in his time at Alabama with his miraculous catch behind the helmet of Southern Mississippi player Jasper Faulk at the start of the season in 2005.
Aptly named “The Catch,” Prothro’s famous catch won the 2006 ESPY Award for Best Play.
He spent the rest of his junior football season on the Heisman watch list before he tragically broke his left leg in the October 2005 Florida game. Before the 2008 season, his last chance to be eligible to play for the Tide, Prothro finally realized it was in his best interest to hang up his uniform and permanently end his Alabama football career after failed rehabilitation.
Proud to finish his education at Alabama, Prothro graduated in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree from the College of Human and Environmental Sciences and currently works as a bank teller at Regions in Tuscaloosa.
After taking his leave from Alabama, Prothro went on to write a book in 2008, “Catch & Hold: 5 Keys to Strength, Success, & Secure Happiness,” detailing the hardships of his past and the influential characters that impacted his life.
“It is about my life and overcoming the obstacles I have been faced with along the way,” Prothro said.
Though he does not regularly attend Tide home games, Prothro still carries a significant amount of school spirit. So much, in fact, that he one day hopes to get on the coaching track at Alabama.
“It’s taking longer than expected, but I’m definitely still trying,” he said.
He said he is not ready to let go of his decade-old ambition to become as great of a coach as he was a player.
Prothro attended this year’s Florida game in early October, but said he is ecstatic to take on such a major role in the Homecoming presentation.
Prothro’s duties as Grand Marshal include attending the bonfire pep rally on Friday night, joining the Homecoming parade on Saturday morning, and finally, being named the official “Guest of Honor” at halftime during Saturday’s game.
“They don’t just let anybody be a Grand Marshal,” Prothro said. “Just to be an option is an honor and a privilege.”
Dozens of dynamic Tide players make up the list of Homecoming Grand Marshals, and each one brings something new to the table each year.
The list of exemplary Alabama Alumni turned Grand Marshal includes Jay Barker, the quarterback who lead the Tide to its 12th National Championship in 1992 over the Miami Hurricanes, Bob Baumhower, collegiate defensive lineman gone professional nose tackle in 1977 with the Miami Dolphins and College Hall of Famer Johnny Musso, running back under the great Paul “Bear” Bryant in 1971 and Chicago Bears member in 1975.
Prothro said he is honored to have the opportunity and blessed to fall within the ranks of the Tide’s outstanding Grand Marshals.
