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Randy York N-Sider

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On the day before Thanksgiving, Nebraska buses pulled out of Memorial Stadium to visit five Lincoln hospitals. Less than an hour later, Alonzo Moore, a 6-2, 195-pound junior wide receiver from Winnfield, La., was leading a prayer with his teammates in the room of a cardiac patient who told her husband that Husker football players inspire her, too.

The patient's husband told Husker players what he liked most about them – that “you guys never, ever, ever give up regardless of the score and that’s why Nebraska will always be my favorite team.” The patient’s husband/Big Red fan then asked Moore if he would say a prayer for his wife. “She requested that one of us lead a prayer and her husband asked me,” Moore said. “I told him ‘yes sir’ because I was more than honored to step up and do it for her and her husband.

“It was an awesome experience for a person who’s fighting every day of her life to ask us, who were reaching out in the community and enjoying ourselves, to communicate and pray for her,” Moore said. “It was huge for me to ask God to lift her up in prayer and to watch over everyone. Having an opportunity like that on the day before Thanksgiving really touched my heart. I kind of teared up as I was saying the prayer, realizing how huge it was for her and how huge it was for all of us surrounding her.”

Wednesday Quietude a Stark Contrast to Friday’s Ultra-Spirited Rivalry

Moore, signing an autograph above, enjoyed interacting with patients and hospital staff. The peaceful, heartfelt prayer he delivered inside Bryan Hospital-East came two days before Nebraska hosts national championship contender Iowa in the fifth annual Heroes Game in front of another sellout crowd of 90,000 fans and an ABC national television audience. On Wednesday, Husker football players also visited Bryan Hospital-West, Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital, Nebraska Heart Hospital and Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center.

This Cardiac Patient Shared a History Lesson with Husker Football Players

Moore and others received an interesting history lesson from the cardiac patient pictured above. She told the visting Husker players that her mother once donated $25 to the University of Nebraska to help build Memorial Stadium in the early 1920s. What might seem somewhat small now was considered an enormous contribution nearly a century ago. The appreciative patient pointed out that attending the University of Nebraska at the time of her mother's donation cost only $100 a year and included tuition, room, board and food.

Nebraska Football Players Can Light Up Faces Just Walking in the Room

Some patients' dialogue with Husker fans is so special that certain players, like Josh Kalu, pictured above, abandons conversation in favor of giving the patient a hug. In a loving way, Husker players understand who are some of their biggest fans, even though some have never been to a game but always keep track of the results.

One female fan in the oncology unit has attended one game in her life, Nebraska vs. Ball State, but remembers the energy and excitement still deeply planted in her heart. Another oncology patient at Bryan-East suffered a stroke last Thursday. "She was in terrible shape, then started making daily progress," her son told me Wednesday. "Having these guys here today perked her up more than anything else. I can't help but tear up when I see her smile like she did today."

When the same patient received a photo with Husker autographs, she held that precious new possession next to her heart, smiled broadly and started tearing up herself. The patient's daughter-in-law also teared up and weighed in on the overall impact. "Nebraska football players," she told me, "can light up people's faces just by walking in the room."

One of 18 Husker Seniors, No Big Deal for Jano Getting to Hold a Baby

The walk-on fullback/special teams star who's also a favorite among Husker fans, Andy Janovich enjoyed carrying a baby down the hallway of Bryan-East. "It's great seeing a bunch of babies. It's a pretty special thing," Jano said. "I have all sorts of nieces and nephews, so I'm used to it. It makes you appreciate the small things. We're so focused all the time in football, it's good to be able to step back and look at life a little differently. It was definitely exciting today, so it's a pretty cool thing to experience before our last home game of the season." Jano (pictured above), is flanked by teammates Avery Anderson (left) and Khalil Davis.

Husker Teammates Equally Intrigued While Hovering Over This Newborn

For Husker seniors, Wednesday was a special day. Senior right guard Chongo Kondolo (above, middle) earned the right to cradle this newborn. Helping him soothe the baby in the spotlight are Husker sophomore offensive linemen Dwayne Johnson Jr. (left) and Zach Hannon.

Westerkamp Has Good Hands on the Field, Lends a Good Hand Off the Field

A potential anecdote could fit the most sure-handed receiver in Nebraska football history. On Wednesday, Jordan Westerkamp greeted the hospital patient pictured above with a firm handshake minus the glue he seems to wear whenever he steps on the field. I envision every ball that Westerkamp catches in Friday's regular-season finale against Iowa can count. Who knows? One right hand that shook another right hand could produce the best luck imaginable.

If Nebraska spoils the best season in Hawkeye history, the Huskers might have more bowl opportunities than anyone dreamed possible. After a 3-6 start, what an accomplishment that would be, especially when two of the three November wins would be against two of the top five teams in the latest College Football Playoff rankings. With that in mind, we end with three words that became baseball legend Mel Allen's signature phrase: How About That?

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Voices from Husker Nation

Great story. Four current Huskers – David Sutton, Luke Gifford, Trey Foster, and (DJ) Gerald Foster are former students of mine in gifted English when I taught at Lincoln Southeast. I saw Trey on TV tonight. His smile could light up a room. I will be at the game Friday cheering on my boys. I am spending a rescheduled Thanksgiving (due to our lovely potential icy weather) on Saturday with Iowa season ticket holders/fans. If you see my boys before the game, tell them I expect them to win the game. GBR!! Paula Damke, Lincoln, Nebraska