‘Chain Gang’ official who was hit during Alabama-Vanderbilt game talks about new lease on life following kidney transplant

TUSCALOOSA, Ala (WIAT) – An SEC official and member of the “chain gang” who was carted off the field during the Alabama-Vanderbilt game had just received a new kidney when he took a tumble.

“I’ve had some near misses already,” Kirby Michaels said. “It’s going to happen when you’re on a collegiate field, especially when you have D1 athletes coming at you.”

Michaels has been on and off the Bama sideline as a “Chain Gang” member since 2015, helping draw the line for downs. In 2021, he became a full-time sideline auxiliary crew member for the Crimson Tide.

“I had a brush up with Jahmyr Gibbs a couple of years ago, we bumped into each other but luckily I was able to hold him up that time,” Michaels said.

For the first time since working the sidelines at Bryant-Denny Stadium, a collision sent Michaels to the emergency room.

There was nearly 5 minutes left in the first half and Vandy had the ball. After the snap, Diego Pavia drops back, throws a pass to the boundary, makes contact the wide receiver who then made direct contact with Michaels.

“He comes right towards me, and he just kept coming” Michaels said.

There was no time to move out of the way. All Michaels could do was put his hands up and brace for impact.

“I put my hands up to protect my body because I recently received a kidney transplant,” Michaels said.

As a child, Michaels was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. In 2020, COVID-19 caused irreversible damage to his kidney with his organ failing four years later. Ahead of the 2025 College Football Season, Micheals was unsure if he’d be on the sidelines.

“I was fully prepared to take 5-7 years [off], and if I was still doing dialysis I would have still tried to officiate,” Micheals said.

The Fayette native moved to Northport in 2005. His life is centered on family and football. He and his daughter referee high school games in Tuscaloosa County on Friday nights. If it’s a home game in T-Town he’s keeping record of every flag thrown and every helmet that comes off.

Since 2024, he’s been on dialysis and the field.

“My donor, Nichole stepped up at the most awesome time in our life, stepped up early, stepped up at the right time,” Michaels said.

On June 9, 2025 Michaels received a new kidney, after being told by doctors he was looking at a seven year wait period before his name would be at the top of the donor list.

“She came to our house and made the announcement and we shed several tears over that,” Michaels said.

Nichole and Micheals met in high school and later became colleagues. Unbeknownst to him, Nicole went to UAB hospital to see if she could be his kidney donor. In a matter of months, Micheals’ health did a 180.

“I cannot express to you how well God has blessed me, through this entire process,” Michaels said.

Saturday afternoon, millions of people in their living rooms and the stands sat and watched as medical staff rushed to his side and officials stopped the clock.

“Everything was spinning for a while,” Michaels said.

Minutes felt like a lifetime. But, Micheals is thankful that after taking a big hit on the sidelines and spending five hours in the E.R. – his kidney is fine. The UA Chain Gang member suffered minor turf burn a fractured wrist, and a mild concussion he said.

“If the good Lord is willing and the people in charge are willing, in two weeks when Tennessee comes to Tuscaloosa, I plan to be right back out on the sideline,” Michaels said.