Commandant buys boots for A&M cadet who protected mascot

The Commandant of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets recently made good on his promise to buy boots for a cadet who threw himself in front of an out-of-bounds football player last year to protect the school’s collie mascot.

Then-sophomore Ryan Kreider deflected Southern Methodist University receiver Der'rikk Thompson away from Reveille VIII during A&M's 58-6 win in September as Thompson was hurtling toward the dog.  

Kreider later said that he was just doing his job to protect the 8-year-old dog.

Reveille VIII remained perched on a bed as Thompson approached.

Brig. Gen. Joe Ramirez Jr., the commandant of the Corps, was watching the game on TV when he saw Kreider's action. Ramirez later offered to pay for Kreider's pricey custom-made senior boots, a school footwear tradition.

Ramirez posted photos on Facebook on Friday, announcing that he followed his word and that Kreider had been fitted for his senior boots.

Ramirez’s post reads, in part, “Today I had the honor and pleasure of buying the senior boots for Cadet Ryan Kreider, last years Mascot Corporal from Company E-2. After Ryan selflessly saved Reveille from an on-coming SMU football player during the SMU game last Fall in Dallas, I promised him that I would buy his senior boots for him in appreciation for what he had done for our beloved mascot.

Today I had the pleasure of fulfilling that promise at Holicks in College Station. Ryan Kreider got fitted for his senior boots today at Holicks - the same boot store where I bought my senior boots over 35 years ago. It was a proud moment for all of us as we watched Ryan get fitted for his senior boots - a memorable experience for ALL cadets.”

Albert Caudillo (kuh-DEL'-oh) owns Victor's Shoe & Boot Repair in Bryan. He says the average cost for the boots, with tax, is $1,326.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.