Ohio State offensive coordinator Tom Herman was stuck in Atlanta snow gridlock
As we enter the last week before National Signing Day on Feb. 5, college coaches are canvassing the country on recruiting trips. And the winter weather in the southeastern part of the United States derailed the Atlanta visit of Ohio State offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Tom Herman.
Herman was in the massive traffic jam that enveloped the city because of snow and ice and has a travel nightmare story that will be told for years to come.
It's official Buckeyes. Just crossed the 10 hour threshold for 50 mile drive from Marietta to ATL. Still have 5 miles to go. #RecordBreaker
— Tom Herman (@CoachTomHerman) January 29, 2014
13 hrs and counting. Would it be bad form to leave my rental car on the freeway & just walk the 3 miles to my hotel? pic.twitter.com/59eFt5Mrns — Tom Herman (@CoachTomHerman) January 29, 2014
Just passed the 17 hour mark stuck in the car. Don't know what's going on up ahead. Hope everyone is ok. We've traveled 1.5 miles in 10 hrs
— Tom Herman (@CoachTomHerman) January 29, 2014
As the hours in the car kept accumulating, leaving his car on the highway sounded more and more enticing. Herman had a 9 a.m. flight out of Atlanta on Wednesday to make, and within walking distance of the Hartsfield-Jackson airport, he decided to make a break for it with some unexpected help.
So... 19 hrs in my car with hundreds of my closest friends. Too much ice and accidents to move. Gotta make flight to DFW. Call National — Tom Herman (@CoachTomHerman) January 29, 2014
Rental. Tell them I'm leavin the car and start walking the 4 miles to the airport with my luggage. Fall at least five times in first 2 miles
— Tom Herman (@CoachTomHerman) January 29, 2014
Find an gas station. Terry Spiller, my dude, shows up and won't take a dime to take me to the final mile or two to the airport. — Tom Herman (@CoachTomHerman) January 29, 2014
@MeganWhitt1 Gets me on 9 am flight to DFW. Now boarding the plane. Please pray for those still on the roads. Probably 24 hrs til cleared
— Tom Herman (@CoachTomHerman) January 29, 2014
Hundreds of motorists ended up spending the night on Atlanta's roads, and some school children were even forced to spend the night at school. At approximately 5:20 p.m. Tuesday, a baby was delivered on the side of gridlocked Interstate 285 in Atlanta.
Herman was fortunate enough to be in a position to take action. Had he been in his own car, ditching it to walk isn't nearly as feasible.
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is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
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