"I never really saw the relevance of having pictures of celebrities, so I figured why not have a picture of me," Blankenship said. "I thought it would be something a little different."

The unusual sight of a student waving a giant picture of his own face has drawn far more attention than Blankenship ever expected.

ESPN2 cameras caught him with the sign during Alabama's 69-67 overtime victory over Ole Miss on Feb. 4, prompting announcer Pam Ward to remark, "This guy ... who does that? I mean, who makes a picture of themselves?" Birmingham News photographer Hal Yeager also captured Blankenship making the same unusual facial expression as he is in the picture during Tuesday's loss to Florida.