'The Real AJ' is poised to make a real difference

AJ Starr, better known as 'The Real AJ' — AJ Starr, better known as ‘The Real AJ’ (Photo courtesy of Kent Gidley, Director of Photography, Alabama Athletics)

As rain started to fall on campus at the University of Alabama, Crimson Tide quarterback AJ McCarron saw a fellow student trying in vain to hail a bus.

“We had gotten done with practice, and I saw two buses starting to pull away,” McCarron recalled. “I saw AJ, and I could tell he had some type of disorder. And he tried to raise his hand at the two buses and they just pulled off. It was starting to rain and I just felt bad.”

The “AJ” that McCarron was referring to is Alabama student AJ Starr, who has cerebral palsy. He was diagnosed with the central motor dysfunction after the umbilical cord inadvertently got wrapped around his neck prior to his birth, causing brain damage.

“I heard someone say, ‘hey man, do you need a ride?’” Starr said. “As I got closer, I’m like, ‘that’s A.J. McCarron!”

The two A.J.’s became fast friends. Starr ultimately became a part of the Crimson Tide football program working as an equipment manager, and his inspirational story was immortalized by an ESPN segment that went viral online.

He’s now universally known as “The Real AJ,” not to be confused with McCarron, “The Other AJ.”

(More below the video)

As McCarron prepares for the NFL draft, Starr is gearing up to graduate in May, at which point he will begin pursuing a graduate degree at UA’s Sports Management Program.

But continuing his academic career and helping The Tide prepare for next football season are far from the only things Starr has on his mind these days. He is preparing to embark on his most ambitious journey yet — launching a non-profit organization, “The Real AJ Foundation,” with the goal of “helping others with cerebral palsy live a life without limits.”

In spite of cerebral palsy being the most common motor disability among children, The US Federal Government spent more last year on a 3-d pizza printer and a documentary about superheroes than it did on cerebral palsy research (not kidding).

In June, The Real AJ Foundation team will travel to Washington, D.C., to start the process of changing that.

Rep. Spencer Bachus, R-AL06, is helping facilitate the visit, which will include numerous events at the U.S. Capitol. A proclamation honoring Starr will be read into the Congressional Record, highlighting Starr’s impact on cerebral palsy awareness. He’ll also be visiting the White House.

“It will be an honor to help host AJ during his visit to Washington,” Bachus said. “His remarkable story has provided inspiration to fans of not just Alabama Crimson Tide football, but to countless people throughout our state and nation.”

But before he goes to Washington, AJ will be launching his non-profit in more familiar territory — Bryant Denny Stadium. Accompanied by friends, family and supporters, Starr will announce the launch of The Real AJ Foundation at halftime of the Alabama A-Day football game on Saturday. More details about the organization’s mission will be released at that time.

The Foundation is already embarking on a national awareness campaign titled “Starr Powered” that will include Starr making numerous national media appearances in the coming weeks.

Musician and vocalist Chuck Tilley, a Tuscaloosa native and current cast member of the hit ABC TV Show “Nashville,” is in town this weekend to help with the launch.

“I never miss an Alabama football game, and I’ve had the story of the two AJs in the back of my mind for a while,” said Tilley. “My good friend called and pitched the ‘Starr Powered’ idea. The minute I heard his vision, I was hooked. Together, we are going to produce a benefit concert for AJ Starr and UCP (United Cerebral Palsy), and I can’t wait to share this news tomorrow at Bryant-Denny stadium with all of our closest friends.”

In the mean time, you can “like” The Real AJ Foundation on Facebook and look out for more details in the days ahead at TheRealAJ.com.

“AJ’s story demonstrates the power of authentic and meaningful relationships, and it highlights the challenges that more than 700,000 people with cerebral palsy and their families live with every day throughout our nation,” said Dr. Gary Edwards, CEO of UCP Greater Birmingham. “The most common motor disability of childhood, cerebral palsy often isolates the children and adults living with it. The relationship between AJ McCarron and AJ Starr reminds us of the power of friendship and the purpose of our lives — to push beyond our boundaries, to compete, to live a life without limits.”

Follow Cliff on Twitter @Cliff_Sims