Back in Pink
: Caudle Joins the Crowd of Men Ready to Don Pink to 
Raise Awareness About Breast Cancer in February

By Rubin E. Grant

Neil Caudle has little pink in his wardrobe, but that’s going to change next month.

The former Spain Park and Auburn University quarterback will take part in the American Cancer Society’s Real Men Wear Pink of Birmingham fundraiser during February.

“When I wear pink, I’m breaking a (wardrobe) rule,” Caudle said with a laugh.

Caudle can thank a relative for his upcoming pink attire.

“My wife’s cousin is a part of the board that runs the campaign, and she asked me if I wanted to do it, and I accepted,” Caudle explained. “We’ve each committed to raising a targeted goal of money for the month. There’s a couple of events I need to wear pink and I’m asking my friends, family and co-workers to help.”

Real Men Wear Pink is a campaign that gives men a leadership role in the fight against breast cancer. Community leaders are hand selected to be “Real Men” and stand at the forefront of the fight against breast cancer.

The requirements to be “Real Men” call for them to wear pink in February, set a fundraising goal of $2,500 or more, fundraise for bragging rights as Birmingham’s Pink Man of the Year and post on personal social media to raise awareness about breast cancer. Otherwise, all they have to do is have fun and enjoy the friendly competition.

The 2017 Real Men Wear Pink campaign in Birmingham raised about $137,000.

Every dollar raised helps the American Cancer Society save lives from breast cancer through early detection and prevention, innovative breast cancer research and patient support. The goal for 2019 for the Birmingham area is $130,000.

More than 20 men in the Birmingham metropolitan area have agreed to take part in next month’s campaign.

‘Cupid’s Got Nothing on Us’

Past campaigns have taken place in October, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but it was moved to February this year to coincide with Valentine’s Day. The theme for next month’s campaign is “Cupid’s Got Nothing on Us.”

“We really wanted it to be about the entire year and not just October,” said Lauryn Patton, community development director for the ACS in Birmingham. “We centered it around Valentine’s because that’s when many people are showing love and affection. We wanted to do that as well when raising awareness about breast cancer.”

Like many of those participating, Caudle’s life has been touched by cancer. During his freshman year at Auburn, in 2007, his mother, Teresa, was diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent treatment and is now cancer free.

“I was pretty directly affected by her cancer, as was my entire family,” Caudle said. “That’s another thing that makes it easier to participate in this.”

Caudle graduated from Auburn in 2011 with a degree in building science. He’s now a project manager at Brasfield & Gorrie, a construction firm headquartered in Birmingham.

Caudle was part of Auburn’s 2010 national championship team and was the holder when place-kicker Wes Byrum booted a field goal to give Auburn a 22-19 win against Oregon in the national championship game in Glendale, Arizona.

While he has fond memories of that game, Caudle has moved on from being a player.

“I’m just a fan now,” he said. “I still know most of the coaches at Auburn and stay connected as a fan.”

Caudle is too busy being a husband and father. He and wife Emily have three children, 2-year-old twins Joe and Kate and 1-month old son Tommy.

“My football now is throwing the football with them,” he said.

Learn more about the campaign and donate to a participant’s fundraising efforts at cancer.org. Click on Get Involved, then Fundraise and scroll to the Real Men Wear Pink icon.