How Alabama QB AJ McCarron Changed the Life of a Friendless Student With Cerebral Palsy (VIDEO)

By Eric Corpus, Friday, January 03, 2014

Despite setting the single-season passing record for a Crimson Tide quarterback with 3,063 yards, Alabama senior AJ McCarron had a rough outing in last night's 45-31 loss to the Oklahoma Sooners in the Sugar Bowl. He threw two interceptions in the first half that led to Sooner touchdowns, and lost a fumble that was returned for a score.

But McCarron's legacy is secure. In 2012 and 2013, he led Alabama to two BCS Championship titles. (He has a third title from the 2009 season, but he redshirted and didn't play that year.) He holds the school record in wins as a starter, career passing yards and touchdowns. And he won this season's Maxwell Award, given to the the best football player in the U.S. as deemed by panel of journalists, coaches and the Maxwell Football Club.

However, instead of a record-setter on the field, McCarron means much more to another AJ at Alabama, AJ Starr, the Crimson Tide assistant equipment manager, who has cerebral palsy. On a typical morning at school, McCarron, arguably the biggest man on campus, reached out to the friendless young man and changed his life.