We see these stories all the time, especially in the spring. They never get old.
South Alabama released its spring roster for 2015, and it includes a 4'-7" offensive lineman. Colby Sawyer is no ordinary offensive lineman, as you would expect. Sawyer is 11 years old and is continuing his fight against leukemia, and he is as much a part of the South Alabama program as anyone else wearing a uniform.
Sawyer was actually “signed” by Alabama in November, when the program reached out to support the young fan. The relationship was made possible by Team Impact, a foundation matching children with health problems with college athletic teams. South Alabama has stepped up by offering Sawyer his own locker and jersey. Colby chose to wear the No. 1, which he shares with wide receiver Tyrone Williams. Sawyer remains a part of the team this spring, with his hand-picked uniform number. He even has his own profile page on the South Alabama website.
“Before he was diagnosed, he played sports - football, basketball, baseball - and ever since he’s been diagnosed he hasn’t been able to do those,” his mother, Joyce Sawyer, said last fall. “We have another year of [chemotherapy] so this kind of gives him the feeling of being a part of a team even though he hasn’t physically been able to be a part of a team. It’s really special for us. It’s a big deal just to see him smile. To give him some normalcy and happiness is a big deal to us.’'
So a round of applause to South Alabama for continuing their support of Sawyer. And here’s hoping one day we are talking about Sawyer having an impact on others around him for years to come.
