South Carolina Football: An Open Letter to Marcus Lattimore

Marcus,

I have been following you for the past four years.  Ever since you were a Byrnes superstar, I have hoped that I'd get to see you in the Garnet and Black and follow you through your NFL superstardom. 

As I watched the horrifying injury, tears came to my eyes, as it happened to many of the South Carolina faithful.  Not because of losing a great player.  Not because of the ramification it may have to the team.  Not because we're selfish in nature. 

But because one of the most gracious, intelligent, loving, caring and faithful players to ever grace the college football field fell in pain.  Because the Gamecock community loves you like a family member.  Because anyone watching would have given anything to see you succeed.

You have been more than just a player to all of us.  You have been an inspirational wonder and you will continue to be.  You are strong and calm at all times.  A leader that the kids can look up to.  An idol that has no desire to be one. 

You have been the poster child of the South Carolina uprising.  A star who works hard, talks less and embraces his community.  You are college football.

Most of all, you are an incredible human being.  Facebook sprouted a page called "Pray for Marcus" that has 55,000 fans in one day.  It's not just Gamecock fans.  There are Clemson Tigers, LSU Tigers, Georgia Bulldogs, Florida Gators, Tennessee Volunteers and fans from all over the country praying for you. 

It's all because of who you are. 

You are an incredibly strong human being.  I think that South Carolina fans would give anything in the world...even watching you run for a different team...to take back what has happened. 

However, all is not lost.  You have the strength and the drive to rebound and come back stronger.  You have done it once.  You deserve the world.  I am looking forward to the day I watch you suit up with an NFL logo on your chest.  It's what you deserve. 

If that doesn't happen, you will always have a home in Columbia.  I hope this reaches you, and I hope that you realize that the love that we have for you isn't based on your on-the-field actions, but rather those off of it. 

You are an incredible human being, and no matter what, your life will be blessed and enriched.  God bless you Marcus...we know we haven't seen the end of No. 21. 

-Alex Roberts