I first met Carson Tinker in Mrs. Terry’s third grade class. He was a tall, funny boy who always seemed to have a smile on his face.

I’m not sure if we just happened to be sitting next to each other one day, or if maybe we liked the same juice box, but for whatever reason, we became friends. After several years of slumber parties and birthday events at various parks in Decatur, Ala., Carson eventually moved to Murfreesboro, Tenn., during junior high.

Fast forward 10 years later and Carson and I are both students at the University of Alabama. Carson, the starting long snapper for the Crimson Tide football team, was someone I greeted when I saw on campus from time to time.  Always a friendly person, we struck up conversation whenever we saw one another.

Nearly four months ago, Carson was a victim of the devastating tornado of April 27, 2011. Carson and his girlfriend, Ashley, were right in the destructive path of the EF-4 tornado when it barreled through the heart of Tuscaloosa. Upon being thrown from his house, Carson sustained multiple injuries to his head, wrist, and ankle. Ashley, however, died upon impact with a broken neck.

Carson was in the hospital for weeks. His close friends, including his teammates, were at his bedside every day. While thousands of people were leaving town for an early summer break, Carson laid in a hospital bed with his family and friends at his side mourning the loss of someone he loved.

Flash-forward to today and Carson is a spirit to be around. One could expect a poor attitude, possibly a loss of desire to play – but not Carson.

“I never thought about not playing, that wasn’t even an option,” Tinker said.

Through months of physical therapy and recovery, Carson was ready for the grueling four weeks of fall camp and is completely healthy going into the season.  He even claimed to have his best fall camp this year, despite his injuries.

“People expect me to have the ‘poor-me’s’, but I don’t,” Tinker said. “It’s all about keeping a good attitude. When you drive around and see these ‘coming back’ signs surrounding the destruction, how can you have a bad day?”

Carson’s optimistic attitude and spirit came naturally to him. However, he may not yet realize what his rehabilitation and effort means to this community.

“I’m just an average guy going through the same thing as hundreds of other people throughout this state. If I can inspire people, then that makes me happy.”

Football, in a sense, was Carson’s emotional outlet throughout the grieving process.

“We really are a family up here; my teammates and God helped me get through this. Nobody was trying to be heroic; it just came natural to everyone to be at my side when I needed them. That really meant a lot,” Tinker said.

Carson and the rest of his teammates are poised and ready for an emotional kick-off this Saturday, when the Crimson Tide kicks off against Kent State in Bryant-Denny Stadium. While the casual fan usually may not notice the long snapper as much as the starting quarterback or middle-linebacker, Carson may be the exception.

Throughout the past four months, the city of Tuscaloosa has recovered greatly.  When you take a tour of the city, one can visibly see cleared destruction. There are already businesses and homes being rebuilt on 15th street, and all of them are an evident symbol of recovery and progress that this community desperately needs.  However, there will not be a more visible sign of hope than when number 51 walks onto the field for his first snap.

This Saturday, my favorite player probably won’t score any touchdowns.  He probably won’t be on Sportcenter’s “Top 10 Plays.”  He will be the same smiling child I met many years ago, and the same man who went from unconscious in a hospital bed to the 50-yard line of Bryant-Denny Stadium in four short months.

Carson Tinker’s recovery is a testament to good faith and great character and should be applauded by all.

Jake Gray is a senior majoring in journalism and economics. His column runs on Tuesdays.

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