Fairview's Chris Yeager.

If Chris Yeager could make an acceptance speech on Saturday evening, they’d have to play him right off the stage.

Although the 1980 Fairview graduate has a résumé well deserving of a spot in this year’s Cullman County Sports Hall of Fame, he’s not looking for any additional recognition.

Instead, he hopes the spotlight shines brightly on those who helped all throughout his career as a player and now, coach.

“For me, I’ve lived a life so much more than what I dreamed as a little boy in Fairview,” said Yeager, who will be welcomed into the 16th class with 10 others during an April 25 ceremony at the Cullman Civic Center. “Much of that has to do with my family, coaches, teachers and all of the teammates I’ve had who’ve invested time and sacrificed for me all along the way. I hope this selection validates their efforts and lifts them up for others to see instead of me. I’ve been showered by those blessings.”

Yeager excelled at linebacker for the Aggies, collecting two All-State honorable mentions and a pair of All-Area selections during solid junior and senior campaigns.

His dynamite play resulted in a scholarship to the University of North Alabama, where he started at center for two years and lettered for three. The Lions made it to the NCAA D-II semifinals his freshman season, and Yeager secured a place on the All-Academic Gulf South Conference team following the 1982 campaign.

Following graduation, Yeager began to branch out on his coaching tree.

He made pit stops at Austin Peay State, Troy State, West Blockton High, Walker High, Coffee High (Ga.) and Peach County High (Ga.).

He also coached under Ray Perkins at the University of Alabama, a spot most can only dream about at night.

“I was at Austin Peay when I got that call,” Yeager said. “I worked with coach Joe Kines on defense. Back then, there were a lot of real late nights, working on projectors and watching film. Coach Perkins was real similar to (Nick) Saban. Very intense and organized. It was a great learning experience.”

Yeager is currently the head football coach at Class 7A Mountain Brook, a position he’s held since 2006. In nine seasons, he’s led the Spartans to a 73-34 record with six playoff appearances and a region title. In 2011, they beat Vestavia Hills and Hoover for the first time en route to a 12-1 season.

He’s had two kids graduate from the “tremendous school” and has been “extremely blessed” to coach the likes of Pat Sullivan’s grandson and Bear Bryant’s great-grandson — among other great players — during his tenure.

“Coaching just captured me from the beginning,” Yeager said. “It’s truly about growing those relationships and having those experiences you made through those relationships.”

However, despite his many stops as both a player and coach, Yeager has, perhaps, a surprising admission about which particular moment stands out above all the rest.

It doesn’t come from his prep or college career, nor during a game on the sideline of the Iron Bowl. Instead. it stems from the first time football came into his life at the age of 12.

“I’ve been involved in the sport for 40 years, 30 as a coach and 10 as a player” he said. “State championships, national championships, the huge Iron Bowls and everything in between. To me, though, nothing compares to the first time I put on the jersey as a kid. I remember looking down for the longest and seeing the word, “Aggies.” I still have the jersey. It really represents more than just yourself.”

Yeager may be some years removed from the Cullman County sports scene, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have longstanding roots inside a tight-knit community.

The longtime coach is cousins with Lady Aggies hoops star Taylor Ann Yeager, as well as Maci and Abbi Yeager — members of the golf program.

During his tenure at Troy State, Yeager brought a young Fairview coach in George Redding onto the field for some football toss. He remains a “big fan” of the current Purple and Gold head man.

“To be honest, I have total media blackout during the fall,” Yeager said. “The only score I want my wife to give me Saturday morning is the Aggie score. I really like what George has done up there.”

When Saturday night rolls around, expect Yeager to savor each moment that passes throughout the humbling experience.

“Fairview was a great place to grow up,” he said. “Any time you get to come home, it’s great. I may not live there, but that’s my home. I’ve just been extremely blessed, and I can’t wait to get there.”