ARLINGTON - It was a situation that Mike Nealy likely would have chuckled at last winter, much like what unfolded in front of him on Dec. 26 at Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz.
Venture around the corner from the main stage at Big 12 Media Days each July, and it’s hard to miss the coveted jewel on display that every team in the conference aspires to hoist in January: The College Football Playoff National Championship trophy.
Only, it wasn’t the most prized possession in the sport that a steady flow of media members were flocking to for photos and up-close encounters on Monday and Tuesday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.