It was a brisk 40 degrees that day in Frisco, Texas.

The Jacksonville State faithful showered the stands with red and black at Toyota Stadium, cheering as their Gamecocks took the field for the 2016 FCS national title game.

Many wore sweaters, gloves and scarves to protect from the gusts as they gripped their coffee and hand warmers.

All except nine shirtless, rowdy “old guys,” whose chests were painted to spell “G-A-M-E-C-O-C-K-S” while wearing leather helmets on top of insulated trapper hats.

“That was a memorable event,” said Jim Sullivan, who was painted up that day. “They all are. I mean, every time we get together, hanging out with those guys and our families, we get together and have a lot of good times.”

What started as a dare between buddies grew into a campus craze. “They co

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