Alabama Football: AJ McCarron’s “little blessing”

Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

Much is made in football about chemistry: the bond quarterbacks share with the wide receivers that can make all the difference on timing routes; or the relationship between a quarterback and his offensive line.

Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron certainly has beneficial relationships on the field. But when McCarron gets the chance to talk about his relationship with Starla Chapman, a young girl from his hometown of Mobile, Ala., stricken with leukemia, it is clear that she means just as much to him as his offensive linemen and wide receivers.

“She means the world to me,” McCarron said. “Her parents always say that I was a blessing going into her life, but I think it’s reversed, really.”

McCarron first met Starla in the University of South Alabama Children’s and Women’s Hospital, where he and his brother Corey spent some time as children, in the days leading up to the 2012 BCS National Championship game.

“Going back on that day, I remember everything,” McCarron said.

Starla asked McCarron if he would wear a bracelet in support of her fight against leukemia during the 21-0 win over LSU. McCarron has not taken it off since.

“She’s just such a sweet, special little girl,” McCarron said. “I wear her bracelet everyday.”

Things are now looking up for the Chapman family. After naming McCarron Starla’s godfather, the family broke some news to McCarron.

“Not too long ago they found out that she’s pregnant with a boy,” he said. “They named him KJ.”

Whenever McCarron gets a chance to see Starla and the soon-to-be KJ in Mobile, he makes sure to make a visit to the Mobile Fire Department, where he spent many great days as a child.

“I love it,” McCarron said. “You just asking me that puts a smile on my face.

“I love going back home and hanging out with my dad at the fire station. When I was younger, my mom used to take me down to the fire station to see my dad and see her dad, my grandfather, who is a fireman also.”

McCarron now uses his trips to the fire station as an escape from the pressures of being a top-tier collegiate quarterback.

“On Friday nights, we build up a fire in the back in a little pit and we’ll sit around and tell old stories,” McCarron said. “When everything gets too much around here or in football, it brings you down and lets you get a good laugh at everything else going on back home.”

McCarron’s closest family and friends in Mobile are having an effect on more than his psyche, but his wardrobe as well. Recently, McCarron received numerous bowties to be worn on gamedays.

“I’m actually getting more and more,” he said. “That’s what my mom and everybody in my family got me for my birthday.”

McCarron is excited about his new possibilities.

“I just like doing different things,” McCarron said. “Everybody wears a tie, so I wanted to try something different.”

McCarron again returns his mind to Starla, making note of his leukemia awareness bowtie.

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