December 25, 2001
Texas A&M starting quarterback Mark Farris and backup quarterback Vance Smith did not practice with the Aggies during the two hour workout Tuesday at Reliant Astrodome.
Farris, a junior from Angleton, Texas, missed the practice after suffering effects of food poisoning. Meanwhile, Smith, a junior from Fort Worth, was suffering from an abdominal strain. Both are listed as day-to-day.
A&M defensive back Sean Weston also did not practice as he continues to rehabilitate from a hyperextended knee.
Several members of the A&M team spent Christmas morning visiting children and the staff of Houston's Memorial Hermann Hospital.
"Quite a number of the members of the team went to the hospital to spend Christmas morning with the children," A&M coach R.C. Slocum said. "They took the children gifts and I thought it was a very meaningful experience for our players."
During the visit, the Aggies also met renowned trauma surgeon Dr. Red Duke, who is a member of the A&M Class of 1950. Dr. Duke, a former Yell Leader at A&M, spent some time with the players on the hospital's helicopter deck during a demonstration of the famed Life Flight chopper.
The Aggies gathered on Christmas night for a team dinner at Westside Tennis Club.
A&M will continue preparations for the GalleryFurniture.com Bowl against TCU with practice on Wednesday at Reliant Astrodome. The game will be played on Friday at 12:30 p.m. and will be broadcasted nationally by ESPN.