The American flag that former N.C. State football player Drew Wimsatt kept behind the seat of his helicopter in Afghanistan will lead the Wolfpack onto the field tonight as the Wolfpack plays host to South Carolina in the season opener.
Wimsatt, who played for N.C. State in 2001 and 2002, is a 1st Lieutenant in the Marines flying missions in his Cobra attack helicopter. O'Brien said Wimsatt sent him the flag, which was kept in the helicopter with him for a month in April.
"It's seen combat, heroic acts and everything else," said O'Brien, who served in the Marines himself.
As the team comes onto the field, O'Brien has the American flag and the North Carolina state flag carried on to the field by the top scout team players of the week. On Thursday, Paul Horst and Mark Walker will carry the flags.
O'Brien explained the plan Wednesday at the Raleigh Sports Club's weekly lunch meeting. He joked that whoever carries the American flag will have to be strong, because it's larger than the one the team usually carries.
Plan for Glennon. O'Brien's plan for backup quarterback Mike Glennon in the opener might not carry through for the rest of the season.
O'Brien plans to start Russell Wilson against South Carolina and bring redshirt freshman Mike Glennon into the game for a series or two in the second quarter.
"We may not do this every game," O'Brien said. "We're just looking to get him some experience."
O'Brien left no doubt that Wilson is the starter and the team has no plans to work the quarterbacks on an alternating basis.
Redshirt plans. O'Brien plans to redshirt a majority of the freshman class, but identified one first-year player who will play immediately.
Rashard Smith, who returned an interception for a touchdown in his first scrimmage, will be a backup at field cornerback. James Washington, a freshman running back who enrolled early and participated in spring practice, also has a shot at playing, particularly if seniors Toney Baker and Jamelle Eugene don't stay healthy.
Comments
Thanks, KT
Wed, 09/02/2009 - 21:42 — SpacewolfSometimes we Pack fans are a little sensitive about perceived slights by the N&O. I know I've been miffed a few times, but this isn't one of them. Thanks for a great story about one of our true heroes. I'm always thrilled to see the American and North Carolina flags leading the Pack onto the field. Tomorrow night I'll be even more so, knowing where the stars and stripes has been.
Or maybe....
Wed, 09/02/2009 - 19:24 — JPDOhioThis posting will show up in Thursday's N&O, which happens sometimes. So the on-line version shows up a day early and we get a head start. If so, who is the idiot here. If not and it was a mistake, big deal.
Idiot
Wed, 09/02/2009 - 16:13 — topcat27606The game is tomorrow night. So either you're still nursing the weekend hangover and still can't remember what day it is or your editor dropped this story in a day early to fill space and didn't....Ah....Hmmm....proof read.
This the second time I saw someone either associated with the N&O or making a comment about the game being played tonight. The person making the comment that also wrote the game was tonight probably saw this article and thought the game was tonight. Thanks N&O. I know the Wolfpack articles are just fillers, but you could at least do actual proofing of what you print.