The Crimson Legacy: Why We Run, Stroll, and Raise a Glass for Butch
MELBOURNE, FL — In the lexicon of college football, "Roll Tide" is a battle cry. It is a greeting, a goodbye, an affirmation of loyalty, and for the crimson-clad faithful of Alabama, a way of life. But here in Melbourne, specifically around the track at Eau Gallie High School, that phrase has taken on a deeper, more resonant meaning. It has become the rallying cry for a man who lived large, loved hard, and left a legacy that refuses to fade.
On Saturday, February 28, 2026, our community will gather for the 2nd Annual "Roll Tide Run & Strollin' for your Colon." While the event is officially a fundraiser for Fight CRC, a leading advocacy group for colorectal cancer, those who knew the man at the center of it understand that it is really a celebration of spirit. It is a day dedicated to Butch Grantland.
To understand the event, you have to understand the man. In every community, there are certain figures who seem to act as the gravitational pull for everyone else. They are the ones who turn a quick dinner into a three-hour conversation. They are the ones whose laughter cuts through the noise of a crowded room. By all accounts, Butch was that guy. He was a man who loved his team as fiercely as he loved his neighbors. And like the tide he cheered for, his influence was a force of nature—steady, strong, and undeniable.
When we lose someone like that, the silence they leave behind can be deafening. But Melbourne has chosen not to be silent. Under the guidance of Kelli Lowery Grantland, this town has chosen to respond to loss with noise—the sound of sneakers hitting the pavement, the cheers of a crowd, and the clinking of glasses.
The upcoming event at Eau Gallie High School is designed to be the antithesis of a somber memorial. Death often makes us feel helpless, but this event is about empowerment. It’s about taking the grief of losing a beloved friend to colorectal cancer and transmuting it into action. Colorectal cancer is a formidable opponent. It is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, a statistic that feels far too clinical until it knocks on your own front door. It is a disease that thrives on silence and stigma.
That is why the "Strollin' for your Colon" moniker is so brilliant. It takes the awkwardness out of the conversation. It reminds us that checking our health, getting screened, and talking about our bodies shouldn't be taboo. If Butch could face things with his signature grit, surely we can brave a doctor’s appointment. The run is a reminder that early detection saves lives, and that awareness is the first line of defense.
But let’s be honest: Butch wouldn’t want us to just lecture each other about health statistics. He would want us to have a good time. And that is exactly what February 28th promises to be.
From 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM, the high school track will be a sea of crimson. It doesn’t matter if you are a serious runner looking to beat your personal best, or a casual walker ("stroller") there to soak up the sun. The organizers have made it clear: this is about showing up. It is about the "Best Dressed" awards—which I suspect will involve a significant amount of Alabama gear—and the "Largest Team" accolades. It is a day to put aside our differences, forget our daily stresses, and simply be present for one another.
And because this is a tribute to Butch, the finish line isn’t the end of the road. In a move that perfectly encapsulates the camaraderie of the day, the "team" will migrate to Beef O’Brady’s at Lake Washington for the "Beers for Butch" after-party.
There is something profoundly human about this transition. We run for the cause; we drink for the memory. Gathering at a local pub to toast a departed friend is perhaps one of the oldest and most sacred of human traditions. It is in these moments—over a cold drink and a basket of wings—that the stories come out. The stories about Butch’s reaction to a bad call during a game, the stories of his kindness, the stories that make him feel, for a moment, like he’s sitting right there in the booth next to us.
In 2026, as we navigate a world that often feels divided and disconnected, events like this are the glue that holds a community together. They remind us that we are not defined by our jobs or our bank accounts, but by how we show up for one another. We are defined by how we remember those we’ve lost.
So, mark your calendars for that last Saturday in February. Come to Eau Gallie High School. The Largest party and best blue outfit earn prizes. If you don’t want to wear blue then wear Bama Crimson (even if you’re a Gator or a Seminole at heart—just for one day, let it slide). Run if you can, stroll if you like, but most importantly, be there.
We are strolling for a cure. We are strolling for awareness. But mostly, we are strolling to keep the spirit of a good man alive. As the sun sets on the event and glasses are raised at Beef’s, we will know that Butch is smiling down on the whole scene.
Roll Tide, Butch. Roll Tide.
How to Join: For more details or to RSVP, please visit the event page 2nd annual fun run/walk on Facebook hosted by Kelli Lowery Grantland. All proceeds benefit Fight CRC.
