Editor’s note: The Charleston Southern University Buccaneers took on the defending national champion Florida Gators on college football’s opening Saturday. The Bucs lost the game but gained a fan, as evidenced by this letter from a Florida supporter to CSU head football coach Jay Mills:

Dear Coach Mills,
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As way of introduction, I am a general surgeon in Daytona Beach and the father of three boys, 21, 18, and 14. I have tried my best to raise them as Christian young men, and they have indeed made me proud (for which I am thankful to God on a daily basis). I am also a lifelong Gator fan, as was my father and as are now my sons. The reason I feel compelled to write to you is to let you know how much I (and all the Gators I’ve talked with since the game) respect you and your team.

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I first took note of what was really happening when I saw your interview on ESPN and was impressed with your vision for what the CSU/UF game represents for your team and the university. Equally, if not more impressive, was your Christian heart, which was obvious in not only what you said, but the quiet, sure manner in which you said it. Until that moment, I was inwardly wincing that the “mighty” Gators were taking on such a “weak” opponent. Your statements as to what the game really meant for your team and the school gave me an entirely different perspective which elevated my thinking above the football field – something all football fans should have happen many times a year.

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Having that perspective as the stage for the game itself was certainly interesting. I found myself praying for the safety of both teams (I never want to see any player hurt, but this time I felt as if I were praying for friends, not just an opponent). From the fan’s perspective, I knew it was going to be different, which was confirmed when you held your team from running right out as you allowed the UF fans to embrace our team for the first time this year – that was classy! The game itself played out as expected – but – the impressive thing to me was that your team obviously had other motivation and other goals than “just” winning. There wasn’t one person in the stands who wasn’t impressed with the style, substance, and heart of the young men on your team (and I really hope the Gator players showed as much class as your team did).

I stayed until the end (as always) and have to admit that I was very moved by your team meeting at midfield. I watched intently as you (I’m sure) gave the team the perspective of perseverance, and am sure that you lauded them on their excellent representation of the ideals which the university holds dear and hopes to impart to the students. Standing there with my three sons I was able to talk with them about what an excellent re-presentation of Christ your example is and how all of us need to keep that in mind throughout every day of our lives. You said after the game that, “We hope to glorify God in all that we do, and I think we did that this weekend.” Let me assure you, coach, you most definitely did indeed glorify God!

In closing, I want to thank you and your team for one of the most uplifting experiences I’ve ever had in college football (and I certainly don’t mean the Gator victory). Although I didn’t know much about CSU before, count me as a huge fan of your team as well as an admirer of what the university stands for – I will follow you guys with interest the rest of the year.

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Best wishes and may God continue to richly bless all of you.

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Go Bucs!

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Harry H. Black, M.D. FACS
Daytona Beach, Florida