Gavin Floyd: Chicago White Sox Pitcher Gives College Student Gift of Mobility

Say what you want about Gavin Floyd on the diamond, but the Chicago White Sox pitcher deserves a standing ovation for showing that professional athletes can and do care.

As first reported by The Tampa Tribune, Floyd and his wife Leanna donated $21,000 to help Trinity College (Florida) student Tim Smith pay for a new pair of prosthetic legs. The 24-year-old had been relying on a worn-out pair that, although they are being "held together by duct tape and prayer," could no longer support Smith's active lifestyle, which includes mountain climbing, Ultimate Frisbee and softball.

Smith, who was born without legs, was able to raise the first $10,000 to pay for the state-of-the-art, $31,000 prosthetics thanks to Trinity College students and faculty, along with the kindness of a host of congregations.

But it wasn't until Floyd caught wind of Smith's struggles that paying for new legs became an afterthought. Floyd first learned about Smith through his mother-in-law, a former math teacher at Trinity College, who told him about Smith's courage and determination to play sports while leaving his prosthetics on the sideline.

That, along with Floyd's affection for Smith's faith-based approach to overcoming challenges, was more than enough for the ChiSox's big righty to cut a check before ever meeting Smith in person.

The fact that Smith chose to adorn his new legs with Bengal tiger print may at first seem like a slap in the face to Floyd, whose White Sox play the Detroit Tigers 19 times per year in the AL Central.

The decision was instead meant to reflect and celebrate Trinity College's mascot of choice.

Either way, kudos to Floyd making such a selfless investment in improving someone else's quality of life, especially amidst an overriding culture of wealthy athletes who throw away their riches on lavish parties, superfluous luxuries and Ponzi schemes.