This honor is bringing back some special memories. In January of 1982, I had the opportunity to play for CF legends Bear Bryant and Bo Schembechler in the East-West Shrine CF All-Star Game. And now, twenty-nine years later, I get the chance to go back and talk about that memorable week in San Francisco. 
   It all happened so fast. I packed 2 suitcases for our trip to New Orleans and the Sugar Bowl game against Pitt. I would fly out the day after the Sugar Bowl, but I had barely thought about that.
   This was my final game in a Bulldog uniform. That dream was ending. I invested so much emotionally into that game. Our dreams of back-to-back national titles were still alive. A Clemson loss and a win over Pitt would have gotten us the title. Plus, I desperately wanted to go out a winner. All the seniors did. And when Marino ripped our hearts out, with that last-minute, 4th down TD pass...it was really difficult to take. I cried that night, alone back in the locker room bathroom. It was over.
   I was really down, when I arrived in San Francisco. 
   In one of our first days there, we took a visit to the Shriners Hospital to visit the kids. I believe Jesus Christ had his hand on me that day. He placed me in the room of a young man named Jonathan Studabaker, who was in a wheel chair. Jonathan was around 10 years old. He brought up the Sugar Bowl loss and then, we started talking about what kind of offense we'd be running in the Shrine game. I drew up a few plays on a sheet of paper. Then, he hit me with a surprise. Jonathan wanted to call 1 play. He asked me if I could make that happen. No problem, I told him. We could make that happen. As I left the hospital that day, my spirits had been lifted. This guy inspired me. I was back in focus. Fortunate to be healthy and playing the game. I was determined to make this young man's wish come true.
   I must admit, I was a little hesitant to tell Coach Schembechler (who was calling the plays that week) that I'd promised a play-call to some kid, before checking with him first. Bo was awesome. He smiled and was totally on board. What a relief. Thought he might go off on me. 
   Jonathan was on our sideline during the game. And I was telling him his play-call was coming up soon. He was so excited. And by this point, the entire offense knew what has going on. A couple of series into the game, we were in the midst of a TD drive and I called Jonathan's play. As I recall, it was a misdirection reverse, which picked up a 1st down. I looked over at him and he was about to come out of that chair with excitement. That moment touched me so much. Again, I was so fortunate.
    That game wasn't about me, or my teammates. It wasn't about winning or losing. Or impressing NFL scouts. The East-West Shrine Game continues to be about the children. And raising money for the Shriners 22 hospitals, where they are spending $2M a day. 
    I'm excited to go down to Orlando (where the game is being played now) later this week and relive some special memories of January 1982. Coach Reeves is coaching the East team and that makes this even more special.