I've been watching football for about 50 years---pee wee, high school, college, professional.
So I've seen a lot of what makes this game so addictive--speed, strength, ballet-like coordination and balance, drive, determination and competitiveness, last second heroics...
But I've never witnessed the humanitarian good will and prayers extended by players of the opposing, visiting team when the home team's best player suffered a serious (maybe career ending) injury.
That happened yesterday at Williams-Brice Stadium (home of the University of South Carolina Gamecocks) when the Gamecocks battled the visiting University of Tennessee Volunteers.
When star Gamecock running back Marcus Lattimore got hit with a vicious (but legal tackle) to his left knee, bringing him to the ground writhing in pain, paramedics raced out onto the field to attend to him.
The 90,000-plus fans at the stadium (Gamecock and Volunteer fans) went silent and lots of them said a silent prayer for Lattimore, I'm sure.
And then something really remarkable happened: Players from the University of Tennessee walked out onto the field, kneeled next to the hurt Gamecock player and prayed or bowed their heads respectfully.
Gamecock players followed suit.
Players from both benches soon surrounded Lattimore, still in excruciating pain, while medical personnel continued to work on him.
Lots of folks teared up--including yours truly.
Even the sideline reporter for the network that broadcast the game got emotional.
One of the color coverage reporters in the broadcast booth put it well: Marcus Lattimore is not only an excellent football player, he's also an excellent man. And all those players paying their respects are his brothers.
Football's a rough, demanding sport, but it also has a tender side.
Here's a YouTube clip of what I'm talking about. Bear in mind, it's a seven-minute clip (has a commercial or two in it) but be patient. You'll see something very special.
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