Boston College's Mark Herzlich Is College Football's Best Story Ever

"This guy is playing like Superman—you have to know where No. 94 is at all times."

That was an unnamed college football announcer who spoke on Boston College's Mark Herzlich, the 2008 ACC Defensive player of the Year.

If you haven't heard of Mark Herzlich or his incredible story, you must have been under a rock for the past year-and-a-half.

In the spring of 2009, Herzlich was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare form of cancer, in his right leg. This news not only shocked Herzlich, his family, and Boston College, but was a concern for the whole college football world.

Besides being named the 2008 ACC Defensive player of the Year, Herzlich was also named a finalist for the Butkus Award (nation's top linebacker in college football). Boston College was losing their leader.

Like every strong leader, Herzlich wasn't going to let the cancer take him over, because just a few months later, in September 2009, while ESPN's College Gameday was hosting at Boston College, Herzlich announced he was cancer free.

Herzlich sat out the 2009 season, and in spring 2010, faced his second challenge as he suffered a stress fracture in his right foot. Fighting back from a stress fracture was nothing compared to fighting back from cancer, so Herzlich fought back and was ready for the 2010 season opener. 

Always known for his eye black, which is now dis-allowed by the NCAA, Herzlich came out to a screaming crowd, filled with joy, smiles, and happy tears. The team leader was back, and the defensive star was back, meaning headaches for the opposing offense. In the first game of the year vs. Weber St., Herzlich had five tackles in a victory for the Boston College Eagles.

His story is well known to almost everybody, his play is well recognized, but his motivation to not only cancer survivors but to young football players is unspeakable. Herzlich is the perfect example of a team leader overcoming life's challenges to prove that football is only a game, whether your good at it or want to be good at it. 

Herzlich is now in his senior season and ready to dominate. His video highlights have him doing it all: Tackles, sacks, interceptions, and forcing fumbles are all credits to his this young man's great playing style. 

Inspirational off the field, impressive on the field.

Herzlich not only brings heart, soul, and pride to the Boston College Eagles, he brings a love for football and life. If anything is truly clear, the Herzlich Eagle will be soaring to heights that have never been reached before. 

This article was not written until permission was granted by Mark himself, It will be sent to him via Twitter and I am very honored to have been able to write this wonderful story on an amazing player.