If you’re tired of the negative stories surrounding college football, this touching situation amidst a tragedy is worth your while.
Last December, Zaevion Dobson, a 15-year-old high school football player in Knoxville, was shot and killed during a shooting spree at a house in the Tennessee city. Reports at the time stated Dobson “was hailed as a hero after police say he died shielding three girls from gunfire.”
Dobson’s heroics were hailed by President Obama in a tweet, while he was posthumously awarded the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPYs last month.
Monday, Tennessee safety Todd Kelly Jr. announced that he would be changing his uniform number from 6 to 24 this season in honor of Dobson, who wore that number for his high school team. Kelly, who is from Knoxville and played against Dobson’s older brother growing up, wrote on Twitter that “your legacy lives on and will never be forgotten.”Honored and privileged to wear the #24 this season in honor of Zaevion Dobson, your legacy lives on and will never be forgotten . . .
— Todd Kelly Jr. (TK) (@ToddKellyJr) August 1, 2016Todd Kelly Jr discusses his decision to honor Zaevion Dobson by wearing No. 24 this season pic.twitter.com/6E6HWJipHv
— Rob Lewis (@Volquest_Rob) August 2, 2016