Sept. 27, 2016
By Jeff Shearer
AuburnTigers.com
AUBURN, Ala. - Jason Campbell heard the roars once more.
"It's awesome," said Campbell on the sideline Saturday, right after he was honored as Auburn's SEC Legend. "You almost want to go back out and play. Just feeling the excitement. It's always been a big game. The LSU game at home. You never know what's going to happen."
Congrats to @FootballAU legend @JCam_17 - will be honored at 2016 @SEC Championship game. pic.twitter.com/QsZWxes4JS
-- Jeff Shearer (@jeff_shearer) September 24, 2016
It was fitting that Auburn honored Campbell, the SEC's Player of the Year in 2004, during the LSU game. One of Campbell's shining moments occurred against LSU as senior in 2004, when he threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to Courtney Taylor with 1:14 remaining in Auburn's 10-9 win.
"I remember it just like it was yesterday," Campbell said. "The one I remember the most, though, is the 4th-and-12. We had to have it before we scored the touchdown. That was the one that put us in position to win the game."
The MVP of the 2004 SEC Championship game, Jason Campbell serves as a mentor to Auburn's current players." style="width:100%; height:auto;" class="imported_image" legacy-link="http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/aub/sports/m-footbl/auto_a_storywide/12127349.jpeg"> The MVP of the 2004 SEC Championship game, Jason Campbell serves as a mentor to Auburn's current players.
On December 2-3, Campbell will join 13 fellow SEC Legends at the Georgia Dome for the Weekend of Champions. They'll be recognized Friday at the Legends Dinner, then again on Saturday prior to the SEC Championship game. Campbell was the MVP in Auburn's 38-28 win over Tennessee in the 2004 SEC Championship game.
"It's going to be exciting," Campbell said. "Especially since it's the last year they're going to be hosting the SEC Championship there before they open up their new dome. It's always exciting to have the opportunity to go back and I'm just honored and blessed, and thank God for everything he's done for me."
Campbell, who played a decade in the NFL, lives in Atlanta and serves as a volunteer high school football quarterback coach. He returns often to his alma mater.
"I do. I remember when we were playing," Campbell said. "Guys who went before us coming back and showing their face. It meant a lot to us because those guys paved the way. And we just want to be here and be an ear for guys if they need to talk. Because every day is not going to always be up and fresh. You want somebody you can lean on and be a mentor."
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: Follow @jeff_shearer