This is what collegiate football should be all about...

[silverfox]

Despite all the nastiness of the BCS AQ vs. non-Aq...Despite the nastiness of NCAA investigations, et al, there is a beacon of light that stands out.

I don't care what conference you root for, what side of any argument you might take -- the fact is that these football teams and their coaches are human beings and what they do touches the lives of many folks around them -- some more than others.

You don't have to be a Boise State fan to appreciate the message here -- just read and enjoy.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=5774990
http://www.idahostatesman.com/2010/11/06/1408413/wish-comes-true-on-the-blue.html

[Eric]

That's what I've always liked about the Boise program in general. The BCS talk is just distraction to this team. They seem concentrated on winning and becoming the best football program they can be on and off the field. Gotta like that.

[Dossenator]

Great story silverfox.

Here is one you will like as well...from Arkansas. This kid has been to several Ark practices, games, and has got to hang out with the coaches and team several times. A very sick kid and this was his dream. I am glad Petrino allowed it to comes true.
http://blogs.nwaonline.com/slophouse/20 ... omes-true/

And then there is the Brandon Burlsworth story out of Arkansas. Ark lineman...all american lineman, drafted by the Colts and then dies in a car accident before his first NFL season started. His dream was to make a difference with kids...and he did during his short life. A foundation was formed in his honor and they continue to help kids in his name. They have the Burls kids and a large group of kids are brought to all Ark home games (these are kids that would never get to go to a game). That of course is not all they do. Here is a link to the foundation website (http://www.brandonburlsworth.org/). Brandon's story is being made into a movie. I believe it will hit theaters sometime in 2012. It was co-written by the same guy that wrote Rudy and Hoosiers.

I am sure there are so many of these stories that never get talked about around the country. I love seeing stuff like this kind of stuff.

Again thanks for sharing silverfox.

[silverfox]

Great story silverfox.

Here is one you will like as well...from Arkansas. This kid has been to several Ark practices, games, and has got to hang out with the coaches and team several times. A very sick kid and this was his dream. I am glad Petrino allowed it to comes true.
http://blogs.nwaonline.com/slophouse/20 ... omes-true/

And then there is the Brandon Burlsworth story out of Arkansas. Ark lineman...all american lineman, drafted by the Colts and then dies in a car accident before his first NFL season started. His dream was to make a difference with kids...and he did during his short life. A foundation was formed in his honor and they continue to help kids in his name. They have the Burls kids and a large group of kids are brought to all Ark home games (these are kids that would never get to go to a game). That of course is not all they do. Here is a link to the foundation website (http://www.brandonburlsworth.org/). Brandon's story is being made into a movie. I believe it will hit theaters sometime in 2012. It was co-written by the same guy that wrote Rudy and Hoosiers.

I am sure there are so many of these stories that never get talked about around the country. I love seeing stuff like this kind of stuff.

Again thanks for sharing silverfox.

Thanks Doss & Eric...

Yep the story of Caleb and the Brandon are also great stories. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in the fan fever that we forget these young men and their coaches touch so many lives outside of the football game but because of football. The sports generates so very much more than a two groups of sweaty men on a gridiron gladiating each other to seemingly bloody pulps. these guys are role models and their actions and fan actions define the sport in the way that needs more publicity than the rivalries that draw us in.

I hope more stories are posted like this so we can all enjoy one of the best side benefits of college football -- the human element.

[donovan]

Wonderful, genuine stories. I believe there are stories like this at most every school in the country. I also think it is good to post them here...kind of makes this site have the same perspective we all seem to laud.

[billybud]

What? Nobody posted the "Radio" story......I actually watched the movie which was unusual for me.

Aubrey Boyd, ex FSU athlete, is an inspiration . He is paralyzed from the neck down due to a pick up football game injury received in 1995. The boosters and Nole fans welcome Aubrey to the Noles sports events and contribute to the Aubrey Boyd foundation, administered by Coach Hamilton. Aubrey is most often seen courtside at the basketball games and he has a wheel chair spot in the football stadium.

[Spence]

Wonderful, genuine stories. I believe there are stories like this at most every school in the country. I also think it is good to post them here...kind of makes this site have the same perspective we all seem to laud.

There are stories like this at most every school.............Something that makes me think that not everyone at every program loses perspective.......Even when we sometimes do.

[silverfox]

What? Nobody posted the "Radio" story......I actually watched the movie which was unusual for me.

Aubrey Boyd, ex FSU athlete, is an inspiration . He is paralyzed from the neck down due to a pick up football game injury received in 1995. The boosters and Nole fans welcome Aubrey to the Noles sports events and contribute to the Aubrey Boyd foundation, administered by Coach Hamilton. Aubrey is most often seen courtside at the basketball games and he has a wheel chair spot in the football stadium.

The Radio story is truly inspirational...

[WoVeU]

All are good stories. This is one area I think ESPN does a great job, they seem to lead all networks in showing the page 6 news. Page 6, for "Dreams Can Come True" in a world where the Night Mares and things that would not really be deemed so due to comfortable numbness fill the front page.

It is good to see that some people out pursuing difficult to achieve moments: Conference Championships, Bowl-Bids, a National Championship...take time for other things. Things that aren't really hard to do, yet, they last forever!