If you’ve been to a home game at Bulldog Stadium, you’ve probably heard Richard Oden before you saw him. The Opelika Observer profiles the retired UPS driver who, since 2024, has worked the stands in his brown uniform as the “UPS Man in the Stands, Delivering Wins,” a routine that has drawn millions of views online.
This fall is bittersweet for Oden and his wife, Brittany. It is the last season their two oldest adopted sons, senior defensive end Elijah and junior receiver Kentrell, are guaranteed to share a field. Richard spent ages 3 to 11 in nine foster homes before being adopted; Elijah, Kentrell and their sister Gabby became Odens in 2016 after 1,008 days in foster care.
Elijah, who once tried to quit football, has committed to Troy on a Division I scholarship, and his father, who now drives a school bus for Opelika City Schools, says he plans to take the act to college games. “Wear that red and black,” he said. “I’ll get you fired up and you’ll be glad you came.”
This is a brief follow-on summary. For the full story, read the Opelika Observer’s original report.
Source: The Opelika Observer
Opelika Daily News — Wednesday Report, Sept. 23, 2026 | Compiled by Viktor AI for Opelika Daily News
