Tide star Terrence "Mount" Cody visits Sylacauga man fighting cancer

SYLACAUGA, Ala-- One of Alabama’s biggest fans – recently got a big surprise -- literally.

Star Alabama nose guard Terrence "Mount" Cody made an unannounced and unplanned visit to see Mike Ellis.

Family members call Ellis "Alabama’s number-one fan".

Terrence Cody was signing autographs for fans in nearby Childersburg Saturday afternoon, when he got word of a Tide fan in need.

Soon, “Mount” Cody, his manager, and his girlfriend were on their way to Sylacauga for a visit the Ellis family, their friends, and neighbors won't soon forget.

You see, over the past seven months, cancer has robbed Mike of his voice, his strength, and soon it will likely rob him of his life.

Last September when he was diagnosed with cancer, doctors told Mike he probably had less than a month to live.

They knew how big an Alabama Crimson Tide fan he is, and issued Mike a challenge:

“My doctor walked in and said, you're gonna see the Alabama/Auburn game, the SEC title game, the Sugar Bowl and the national championship game,” Ellis recalled. “And we did.”

Mike has been defying odds ever since.

And last weekend, one of his favorite Tide players paid mike a special visit.

“I heard somebody say ‘here he comes, here he comes’ and just as soon as I recognized him tears started coming down my eyes,” Mike said.

Standing in Mike Ellis' hospital room was the man who singlehandedly saved Alabama’s season with a big-handed swat of the football.

Terrence “Mount” Cody.

A neighbor asked Cody to visit Mike while the lineman was signing autographs in a nearby town.

Cody didn't hesitate to say yes.

The Ellis’ thought he would say ‘hello’, sign some autographs, and leave after a few minutes.

Cody, his girlfriend, and his manager, stayed and talked for two-and-a half hours.

“Well, I guess it shows his character as large as he is. He would take time for fans,” Mike said. “I've heard of other times when he's walked up to people or shook a hand. That's the type of person [he is]… he'll always be like that.”

Mike’s wife Mandy added, “He's young. He could have been anywhere. He didn't know Mike. And to come and see him for two-and-a-half hours and never left his side? That man has a big heart.”

Nobody knows how long Mike's body will be able to fight.

But he's defied odds countless times since doctors gave him his diagnosis.

Cody's visit lifted his spirits enough to get him through this week.

And the Ellis family is at peace with what's happening with their beloved father, brother, husband, and friend.

“I even told him this morning that I don't know what God's plan is, but if God's ready for him, I’m ok with it,” Mandy Ellis said.

Mike has never questioned his illness.

“Maybe I wouldn't feel like I do if it weren't for my family. But bitter? No. I've never asked the question "why". What happened has happened. They're doing everything they can for me.”

During our interview, Mandy Ellis revealed that despite her husband's love of the Crimson Tide, she is an Auburn fan.

But she said that after what Terrence Cody did for her husband, she will always have a place in her heart for Cody and will remember what he did, for her entire life.