A&M's Fisher Pays Respect for Bonfire Tragedy During Press Conference

COLLEGE STATION - On November 18, 1999, tragedy struck College Station. Just as any typical year, Texas A&M was constructing the bonfire for their annual bonfire.

It's a tradition that been a part of the college's culture for generations as nearly 5,000 logs were piled high to create a 59-foot structure. That season, the fire would never burn. At 2:42 a.m., the structure collapsed, and of the 58 people working on the structure, 12 were killed and 27 were injured.

Two decades later, Aggies still come together to honor those who lost their lives at the time of the collapse. While the fire may no longer burn, the memories have yet to fade among the Aggie community.

Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher addressed the incident Monday during his weekly press conference, taking the time to pay respect for those who lost their lives and the families affected by it.

"It was a tremendous tragedy that happened to this family and everyone involved," Fisher said. "It's one of the great traditions of history at A&M and it was amazing this morning. There were over 1,000 people at the bonfire memorial, which is a tremendous tribute and typical of the A&M family and the people."

Texas A&M will face No.4 Georgia in Athens, Ga. at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23. The game will be nationally televised on CBS Sports as the SEC Game of the Week.