Updating a story that garnered widespread interest late this past week, Iowa could decide in the very near future whether to allow the dog of a Navy SEAL killed returning from a mission in Afghanistan to lead the Hawkeyes onto the field this weekend, the school said Sunday afternoon.
” It will likely be Monday before [the] staff makes any decisions, either way,” director of athletic communications Steve Roe told CFT via email.
Earlier this month, Iowa-born Navy SEAL Jon Tumilson was one of 31 members of the United States military — including 21 of his fellow SEALs — killed when their helicopter was shot down following a mission inside of Afghanistan. Tumilson’s funeral was earlier this week and a photo of his beloved dog laying in front of the casket throughout the entire service made headlines across the world.
After watching videos and seeing pictures of the poignant scene, former Hawkeyes football player Jon Lazar broached with university officials the subject of the dog -- aptly named Hawkeye -- leading the football team onto the field ahead of the season opener against Tennessee Tech.
“I thought how great it would be for that dog to lead the Hawkeyes down to the field and to have the announcer tell the story of this dog,” Lazar told the Iowa City Press-Citizen. “I think everybody would be crying in the stands.”
As we had previously written, and provided Tumilson’s family signs off on the tribute...
This. Needs. To. Happen.