By WRBL Staff
The Associated Press
NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Even though he's only 37 and in good health, Nathan Davis of New Orleans has already made out his will. In it, he's leaving money to the University of Alabama athletic department and his ashes to Bryant-Denny Stadium.The Associated Press
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Stumble It!Davis, whose heavily tattooed body is a living tribute to his beloved school, wants his remains to become an actual part of it.
He says he spells it out in his will, saying: "My first choice is to spread my ashes at the stadium, second is on the Walk of Champions, and third is on Bear Bryant's statue."
Davis is one of an apparently large number of people who feel there's no better place to spend eternity than the place they cheered on the old home team or otherwise celebrated their favorite sport.
George Helms' family had the urn holding his ashes strapped onto a car at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway where it rode during practice laps. Afterward they scattered some of the NASCAR fan's ashes over the track so he could remain part of his favorite sport.
Dr. Amy Dickson, an assistant professor of psychiatry at the LSU Health Sciences Center, says although most people tend to look for a place of beauty or serenity to scatter ashes, some have other criteria.
"For an avid sports fan," she says, "the idea of having their ashes scattered at a place that made them happy might be very strong."
She also says for many people, allying with a team is what drives their week.
When Conrad Rehling, who coached the University of Alabama golf team for 17 years and was a member of the College Golf Coaches Hall of Fame, died, his daughters moved quickly to see that his last wishes would be carried out.
Half of Rehling's ashes were scattered off the practice tee at the Alabama facility, says Jay Seawell, the current Tide coach. The rest were taken care of by golfer Jerry Pate, who played for Rehling before turning pro.
As requested by his old coach, Pate spread the ashes on the golf course at St. Andrews, while at the British Open.
