AUBURN, Ala. – There is just something special about Auburn. And for Auburn native Trey Elston, it's been a special place to him for most of his life that has brought about many great Auburn football memories.
"Growing up here, I've always loved going to Tiger Walk," Elston said. "Now that I'm on the team, being a part of it is really special. I was one of those on the outside as a kid. Now, I'm having fun talking to people as we go through and signing autographs. That was such a big deal for me as a kid, so I want to make sure I always take the time to do that for others."
Elston attempted to try college away from the Plains, spending the first two years of his football career at the University of West Alabama. However, when the opportunity to come home came about he knew he had to take advantage.
"I just really missed home," Elston said. "I missed the community. When the opportunity presented itself for me to come back, I had to take it. I was just happy to come back and be able to play football."
Returning to Auburn has given him a heightened sense of pride being the hometown guy.
"It's really fun," Elston said. "A lot of people come up and tell me how proud they are. I have kids I know come up and tell me they have the same dreams and aspirations that I had when I was in their shoes. I really feel the love from the community."
The tables have turned for Elston now that he's a part of the team.
"I was lucky to be around the team growing up," Elston said. "I looked up to a lot of guys on the team. But I would say the biggest role model for me would be Brother Chette (Williams). He's known me since I was a kid. He's a great Christian man who helped me a lot and just has been there for me."
As a fan, Elston loves to recall those special moments in Auburn football history and where he was.
"I went to Toomer's Corner after the Alabama game in 2010 and it was so fun," Elston said. "Our family and friends would all get together and have a big tailgate for every game that season. I'd sometimes go to campus and see Cam Newton rolling around. It was so cool to see the whole season and now think that I'm a part of the team.
"One of my favorite memories in the stadium was after the Georgia game in 2013," Elston added. "I got to be around the team afterwards and that was just a big moment for me as a kid. Getting to experience the excitement and just be in that moment was awesome."
No matter how long he's been around, Auburn has come to mean a lot for the local.
"It's hard to explain the Auburn Family to people," Elston said. "This is a group of people that truly love you and support you. They do anything for you and each other. So, in the good times and in the bad, you'll always have somebody there."
And with all the uniqueness that surrounds the Loveliest Village on the Plains, it's our iconic phrase that truly stands out.
"War Eagle to me means that we're always in the fight and never out of it," Elston said. "It means dedication. It's not just one thing. It's constant and it's family. Saying 'War Eagle' to someone else means that you care and it goes beyond football. Auburn is family and I love it."
