Heartwarming On-Field Moments in College Football History

Every so often, college football sheds the label of being a brutal, violent game and offers heartwarming on-field moments.

The tear-jerking times aren't always the result of a happy occasion, since injuries are a part of that brutal, violent sport.

But everyone who's ever played the sport will say something similar: It's a brotherhood. Bonds are created and meant not to be broken. And sometimes, in moments of agony, those bonds extend beyond the color of the uniform players are wearing.

From spring scrimmages to regular-season outings to bowl games, college football can become an outlet of unbridled happiness and unexpected tenderness from players, coaches and fans.

Ian Johnson Proposes to Cheerleader Girlfriend After Fiesta Bowl Win

The 2007 Fiesta Bowl between the Boise State Broncos and Oklahoma Sooners brought one of the most exciting finishes in college football history.

On 4th-and-18 at the 50-yard line with 20 seconds remaining on the clock and needing a touchdown, Boise State ran a hook-and-ladder that worked to perfection. Then in overtime, the Broncos called the "Statue of Liberty" on a two-point conversion, and running back Ian Johnson raced into the end zone.

Boise State pulled off the shocking upset because of trick plays, but Johnson had another ace up his sleeve.

At the conclusion of his interview—nationally televised on Fox—Johnson proposed to his girlfriend Chrissy Popadics, a Boise State cheerleader. She said yes.

Al Golden Hugs Receiver After Nasty Injury

Al Golden fell out of good graces with Miami Hurricanes fans over the last 15 months, but back in 2012, he endeared himself to The U after a horrifying on-field moment.

Malcolm Lewis—then a true freshman—had already played himself into the rotation. During the fourth game of the year, he ran a simple slant route, caught the pass and set up a 1st-and-Goal for the 'Canes.

However, when Lewis went to the ground, a Georgia Tech defender accidentally pinned the receiver, and Lewis ultimately suffered a fractured ankle.

Golden raced onto the field, embraced the young wideout and held Lewis tightly.

"You could see from about 50 yards away that something was not right," Golden said, per Manny Navarro of the Miami Herald. "When I got out there I just wanted the kid to understand we were there for him."

In that moment, football disappeared. Golden didn't.

Tulane, Ole Miss Pay Tribute to Devon Walker

Bill Haber/Associated Press

Devon Walker earned his place on the Tulane Green Wave as a walk-on. Four years later, he was the starting safety.

But during the second game of Walker's senior campaign, his life changed. He collided with a teammate and became paralyzed from the neck down. Walker even stopped breathing after the helmet-to-helmet hit before being resuscitated.

"I was praying I wasn't going to die," he said, according to Allana Barefield of the Louisiana Weekly.

During Tulane's next game, each helmet donned Walker's No. 18, while its opponent—the Ole Miss Rebels—placed "DW" decals on their lids.

Military Homecoming at South Carolina

The South Carolina Gamecocks program executed this military homecoming perfectly.

In 2012, the wife and two children of Sgt. 1st Class Scott Faile received an ovation from the Williams-Brice Stadium crowd and watched a prerecorded message from their husband and father.

"Just keep in mind," he said, "that my tour is almost over. And I'll see you real, real soon."

Faile then emerged from the tunnel, while his wife, daughter and son sprinted toward the end zone.

You're about to make tears come out of my face.

7-Year-Old Jack Hoffman Scores in Nebraska Spring Game

Exhibition stats are typically meaningless. Seven-year-old Jack Hoffman was a rare exception.

Running back Rex Burkhead befriended Hoffman, a Nebraska Cornhuskers fan who was diagnosed with brain cancer.

Hoffman threw on Burkhead's No. 22 for the 2013 spring game and scored a 69-yard touchdown, though he needed a little guidance from quarterback Taylor Martinez.

"Yeah, he was really nervous when he got there," Martinez said, according to Omaha.com. "You saw him run the wrong way, so I had to grab him and lead him the right way. It was awesome for him."

Daniel Rodriguez Scores Touchdown for Clemson

At 5'8" and 180 pounds, Daniel Rodriguez didn't have the ideal size for an FBS receiver. But the Army veteran was loaded with character.

ESPN's Anna Katherine Clemmons wrote a feature telling Rodriguez's story.

"

On Oct. 3, 2009, close to 400 Taliban attacked the American Combat Outpost Keating near the town of Kamdesh. Rodriguez was one of 53 Americans who battled the insurgents for more than 12 hours, continuing to fight even after he was hit with shrapnel in his leg and neck and bullet fragments in his shoulder. Eight U.S. soldiers were killed during the fight, including Rodriguez's close friend, Kevin Thompson.

"

Rodriguez received a Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his actions. After returning to the United States, he walked on for the Clemson Tigers as a wide receiver.

During his second season on the team, Rodriguez—who typically contributed on special teams—scored a 2-yard touchdown on Military Appreciation Day.

Devin Gardner Supports J.T. Barrett

Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan and Ohio State. That school up north and that school in Ohio. The rivalry between the Wolverines and Buckeyes dates all the way back to 1897.

But in 2014, Michigan quarterback Devin Gardner didn't let that stop him from comforting Ohio State gunslinger J.T. Barrett after he suffered a broken ankle.

According to Brian Manzullo of the Detroit Free Press, Gardner said, "I just let him know I'm praying for him and told him to keep praying and everything would be all right."

Barrett's redshirt freshman campaign ended on the field that day, and he wasn't able to lead the Buckeyes to the national championship they eventually won.

Onside Kick with a Scholarship

Trevor Sweeney made the 15-minute trip from Mattawan to Kalamazoo to be a walk-on for the Western Michigan Broncos, but the local kid didn't let the designation stop him.

Sweeney established himself as a special teams ace, and after two seasons of hard work, head coach P.J. Fleck decided to award Sweeney a scholarship in a unique way.

The coaching staff had an onside kick directed at him, and Sweeney recovered the ball. Rubber bands held the official offer in place, he read the letter and broke down inside his helmet while teammates lifted him into the air.

Fleck said Sweeney was "way past deserving" of the scholarship, per David Drew of MLive.

"It's no secret that he's not going to take 25 reps at running back in a game, but everyone on this team can have some type of influence if you work hard enough."