Two seasons ago, the nation prepared for Reggie Bush to make his Heisman run. Last August, Brady Quinn was the golden boy on the preseason magazines.
This upcoming season, Virginia Tech braces itself to become "America’s Team" for more reasons than just a stellar returning defense and a top 10 place in a few polls. The Hokie football team, over the next few months, will play partly for 32 students that just melted into the crowd of 66,000 at Lane Stadium last season. Ironically, it’s those unnoticed faces that now inspire these men.
 This year, each Virginia Tech football player and coach wears a patch bearing the memorial logo, and a team wristband that features the words "Beamerball" (after Head Coach Frank Beamer), "United" and "32." |
On Media Day they were innundated with questions about the aftermath of the tragic shootings that occurred four short months ago. Virginia Tech prepares for its opener against East Carolina on September 1 with not just heavy football expectations, but also the responsibility of playing for their community.
"We don’t really feel any pressure," said cornerback Brandon Flowers. "For the kids that passed, [many] say we are the healing process. We’re just going to give it all we have. That’s the least we can do for the community, Virginia Tech and the nation."
"The least we can do…."
The memories from that day still loom over this community. It’s hard not to let your mind wander when driving past West Ambler Johnston or gazing down on a temporary memorial for the students and professors taken that unforgettable day. Yet there is also a lasting impression of community strength personified in the football program. "We know the Hokie fans and the Hokie nation [will] just come looking at us as more of a healing factor for everybody, so we just have to put that on our shoulders," said linebacker Xavier Adibi. "We’ve got a chance to do something special."
This team knows that its school’s tragedy will be a focal storyline as their season begins. Each player and coach proudly dons a stitched patch bearing the memorial logo, and a team wristband that features the words "Beamerball," "United" and "32."
They practice under a flag hanging from the coach’s camera tower with the memorial logo on it. They play with part of that day lodged in the backs of their minds.
"There’s probably going to be a lot of pressure for us to perform and do it at a high level," added defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach Bud Foster. "Tomorrow’s not guaranteed. If there’s any lesson from [April 16], that’s one thing. As bad as it was, you just never know what tomorrow brings, so live each day the best you can. Every time we step on the football field, we’re not just representing Virginia Tech football but we’re going to represent this university and the Virginia Tech family and I think we have to do that the right way."
Comparisons to the 2001 New York Yankees after 9/11 and last year’s post-Katrina New Orleans Saints have already been drawn, as some media members have deemed this group "America’s Team."
"I can see how that mirrors 9/11, having another national tragedy like this," said defensive tackle Carlton Powell.
Are the Hokies ready to be "America’s Team"? "I don’t mind taking on any extra responsibility," says Powell. "Shoot, if we’re going from Virginia Tech to America’s Team that’s great right there!"
In a few weeks, Virginia Tech will begin the year ranked No. 9 in the USA Today Coaches Poll. They already rank much higher in America’s Poll.
Wes McElroy hosts "The Final Round" Monday-Friday. 4pm-6pm on ESPN AM840.