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Heels' linebacker a class act
Submitted by kentysiac on 10/30/2009 - 09:43
It's fitting to say thanks to linebacker Quan Sturdivant one day after North Carolina's biggest win of this football season.
With a spontaneous display of sportsmanship, Sturdivant became an example of what's good in college athletics after the Tar Heels' 20-17 defeat of Virginia Tech.
Redshirt freshman running back Ryan Williams was sitting on the Virginia Tech bench in absolute despair over his late fumble, which allowed North Carolina's Casey Barth to kick the winning field goal on the final play.
Sturdivant's teammates were dancing and celebrating the win, as they should. But ESPN's cameras captured Sturdivant away from his team.
Williams has been perhaps the best running back in the ACC this season, and he's having one of the best seasons a Hokie back has ever had. But on Thursday night, he'd made a mistake that dashed whatever hopes the Hokies have of going to a BCS bowl.
Sturdivant came over to console Williams. He got him up off the bench, patted him on the leg, leaned over and said what we can only assume were words of encouragement in Williams' ear.
It was a gracious act when an opponent was at his lowest point. And it might have been the best thing that's happened on an ACC football field this season.
About the blogger
Ken Tysiac has covered the ACC for The Charlotte Observer since 2003, and spent the previous eight years covering Clemson for the Anderson Independent-Mail and then The State in South Carolina. He grew up in Rochester, N.Y., and is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame.Want to post a comment?
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Comments
I saw this, also...
Sat, 10/31/2009 - 19:04 — UNC1998I agree with the majority here..it was just a great show of sportsmanship. A program can try and try to teach it. I believe that helps, but it's the player who carries it out. It's up to the player to conduct themself in such a way as to set an expample to all who see them play. Way to go, Quan. I'm proud to know you as a Tar Heel.
Excellent post, Ken....and
Fri, 10/30/2009 - 18:09 — heelsno1Kudos to you for shining the spotlight on a genuine display of sportsmanship and character.
In my opinion, some of your colleagues are either too jaded or just downright oblivious when it comes to matters of recognizing class.
I like it
Fri, 10/30/2009 - 11:22 — festerWay to go Sturd! Saw that at the end of the game and thought about how wonderful a show of sportsmenship it was.
Way to go.
Fri, 10/30/2009 - 11:21 — JPDOhioThanks, Ken, for spotlighting that show of sportmanship. This is a classic example of how it is supposed to be done. Give eveything you have on the field and show respect for your opponent afterwards.
Regarding nseast8's comment, he could not be further off base. One upset win in a so-far underwhelming season does not equal "things going your way". Under the circumstances, it would have been understandable for Sturdivant to stay with his teammates to celebrate an unexpected win.
The fact that he took the time at that moment to offer some encouragement to a devastated opponent is a testament to the kid's character. In doing so, he has set an excellent example of what collegiate sports is supposed to be all about.
Agree
Fri, 10/30/2009 - 11:31 — SurferRight on JPD. Your comments are good.
But in defense of nseast8 (NC State) I think that he is only seeing things from a comparison standpoint with his team.
No defense.
Fri, 10/30/2009 - 12:40 — JPDOhioI always see red (no pun intended) when someone tries to put a negative spin on an uplifting story. State's troubles this year are no excuse, because the one thing State fans have in common with UNC fans this year is the misery of unfulfilled expectations.
If the Pack can pull off an upset this week, that won't mean that "things are going well". It means that, like UNC, they have stopped the bleeding momentarily and have the opportunity to salvage this season.
By the way, thanks for pointing out nseast8's clever user name. I missed that in my mad rush to rant.
Class
Fri, 10/30/2009 - 10:00 — nseast8Yes, he has way more class than the Tar Heel fan that likes to throw objects at their own team! Of course, it is a lot easier to show class when things are going your way...
UNC fans didn't even do it
Fri, 10/30/2009 - 13:14 — jblues1969UNC fans didn't even do it right. Every State fan knows that you are supposed to heat up the pennies with a lighter before throwing them. Either that or throw batteries instead. And if that doesn't work, you can find small children in Tar Heel gear and shout obscenities at them while they walk out of the stadium. And if you have to pee, just do it in the stands.
Upon graduation....
Fri, 10/30/2009 - 14:01 — JPDOhioyou move to Cleveland and become a Browns season ticket holder. One difference, no peeing in the stands. You go in the mens room and use the sink.
Class
Fri, 10/30/2009 - 10:50 — SurferSorry nseast8, things are apparently not going your way.
Sorry if i was
Fri, 10/30/2009 - 13:17 — nseast8Sorry if i was misunderstood, i thought sturdivant's actions were good and I was talking about that with a friend that is a clemson fan last night as we were watching the game. But when i told my friend about what happened at Kenan with Yates he couldn't believe it.
My point was more about the fan throwing objects, as usually character/class is revealed when things are not going as planned. And even though Carolina's season is not going as planned, they still had things going there way for at least one night, winning on the road, especially at Blacksburg, is an achievement no matter who you are.
In regard to NC State. Since graduation from State, I have kinda grown accustomed to losing, but the Duke game put me over the edge, but i still would never take it out on other fans at the game let alone our own players.
we didnt misunderstand you
Fri, 10/30/2009 - 13:50 — gvillegatrwhat we see out of your post is 100% pure frustration. your team is at the bottom of the conference and UNC was right beside you. The Heels got a great win on the road and that (for at least this week) gets us out in front of the Pack. Company loves misery and your company just left.
please note I said, "for at least this week." I know a couple of you guys out there will completely ignore that I said that and start talking about how we are holier than thou ... etc. lol.
no, i was actually pulling
Fri, 10/30/2009 - 14:36 — nseast8no, i was actually pulling for UNC cause i work with a bunch of Tech grads who are annoying as ####.
ps...i think the expression is "misery loves company" and not vice versa
yup.
Fri, 10/30/2009 - 23:16 — gvillegatri know the expression but it would not have worked in this case unless I turned it around.