I'm a Husker fan and am literally buying tickets to the next game in Iowa City just to wave at those kids. That is the greatest tradition in football history. Makes me cry like a baby. Good for Iowa, holy shit that is amazing
I'm a Badgers fan, and this is the nicest tradition in College Football. Whenever I watch Iowa play at home, I wave from in front of my television set even though they don't see it.
When the interviewer tells Kirk Ferentz, "This next question is going to be tough." Kirk obviously knows what it involves when he nods, saying "Yeah..." and just when you think he's ready, he's not. Neither was I. His emotions were overwhelming.
Matthew, as soon as I hear his voice break as he gets out a quick "yep", then watch his face while he fights tears, I lose it and am one hot mess bawling for the next 10 minutes. He's been our coach for 21 years now, and something I've noticed with each year for the last 5 or so is that after a big win, he is emotional while the person is trying to interview him. I love seeing a full grown man in tears like that because he's so proud of his players. You'll never see him yell at a player, but when he thinks his boys have been wronged, he's chewed on more than one ref's ear and spit it out. Amazing he's only gotten a few penalties over those years. Last week, his son Brian who is our O Line coach got an unsportsmanlike penalty for 15 yards, apparently he called a ref a motherfucker. I'm usually pretty good at reading lips when it's profanity. Kirk walked over to Brian and I don't know what he said to him but it was only one or two words. No facial expression or anything. It wasn't funny at the time because the game was far from over, but afterwards, it was funny then. Kathy
I'm not American...I don't even understand or follow American football, leave alone college football. I don't know how this came into my feed and I also have no idea of how my eyes got wet all of a sudden . The story is a reminder...about empathy....caring for the suffering of others...about the innocence of small children wherever they are ... and how all of these put us in touch with our universal humanity.....wherever we are. Am glad to have seen this story.
If you would like to learn more about the sport, we Americans would be happy to teach you. "Baseball is America's Pasttime... football is America's Passion." -- Joe Montana
That is without a doubt THE best tradition in college football!! I am a die hard Michigan fan but ever since this thing started I am an Iowa fan as well. What a beautiful thing that wave is!!
They are both having Great seasons this year too!! So far! Michigan has some tough games coming up, so we will see how good they really are. Iowa beat Penn State last week so I was really happy about that!!👍😊
Being a die-hard Notre Dame subway alum, I love tradition, pageantry and ghosts of the past haunting these old stadiums but I think this has got to be one of the greatest modern traditions in college football. Salute to Iowa for creating this honor. To hear how it gave a suffering child something to look forward to during a difficult week of recovery is incredibly touching! Schedule the Irish for a trip to Kinnick! I'm coming!
When I'm discouraged by the racism, bigotry, violence, and apathy going on now, videos like this serve to remind me how much love and light there still is in the world. Love and light will always beat the dark ❤🕊
Michigan fan here who once attended a Michigan Iowa game in Iowa, several years ago. Loved the stadium and the people. Everyone was super nice and welcoming. This a wonderful tradition. I'm seriously in tears. Great job Iowa!
Proud to be a Hawkeye fan. My son goes to this hospital for care, thankfully for nothing life threatening but they have the best docs anywhere. We drive past the stadium everytime we go and hopefully someday soon we'll be able to make a game. My son would love to wave to the other kids!!
Even if you are a fan of the road team and made the trip to Iowa City, you can't help but to participate. The road team acknowledges this tradition and waves to the children at the hospital.
I recently learned that a young boy from our community passed away last year on the same day as the famous Iowa vs Ohio State game which the Hawkeyes won 55-24 The child passed away shortly after the end of the first quarter (which is when Hawk fans Wave up to the hospital) One of his mother’s final experiences with him was holding him in her arms as Hawk fans waved up at them. I can’t help but think from the way his mother told this story that the Wave meant a lot to her. I also can’t help but hope that the tremendous positivity emanating from across the street that day might have somehow added the tiniest ray of daylight to what must be one of that family’s darkest moments. Prayers to everyone who has been touched by the children’s hospital. The people of Iowa stand by you
As a broadcast engineer for one of the major television networks that broadcasts Iowa games, I make a point of leaving the TV truck and going into the stadium a few minutes before the end of the 1st quarter just for this moment each time.
I've watched this more than once, tears EVERY TIME. Such a heart warming story showing people, especially children with so much courage. It's a shame they have to go through this pain at any age, but particularly as children. #GOhawkeyes....
I lost my little brother to cancer who was a patient at that hospital. He passed in 1998 but memories of him are still strong. We go to every Iowa home game and the wave is such a great memory that makes us feel like he is still with us
Born I'm Iowa City, raised in Iowa. I've been here my whole life. This is just the most amazing and beautiful gesture ever. I remember when Ohio State came to Kinnick a few years ago and their team waved as well 👍🏿🌹🙏🏿🥲
Without a doubt, the best tradition in college football. God bless the kids and their families and the staff at the Stead Family Children's Hospital. And God bless the lady who came up with the idea back in 2017.
I am a life long Hawkeye fan and I saw a few Wisconsin guys on their way to Nebraska to play the Huskers. They stopped and bought tickets from scalpers just so they could watch until the end of the first quarter and take part in the wave. They were the only people wearing red in the stadium and it was the coolest thing I ever seen.
From a southern guy and all his friends here, thanks to all the fans there at the stadium and we are behind yall 100 percent in wishing those children hope and the families quality time together
Love seeing this, wish I had something like this when I was at Shands in Gainesville. This video nothing will show you how much this kind of thing means to a family and a patient. Thank You Iowa for starting a tradition like this! - sincerely children's cancer survivor and Florida State fan
Just learned of this today after reading stories of the Purdue student who saw his Boilermakers beat Ohio State. What a wonderful new tradition! Thank you Iowa fans.
Oregon Ducks fan here and now that we're part of the B1G I can't wait for my first chance to fly out to Iowa solely to take part in this greatest of traditions. I love my Duck on a Harley, I love my Shout, but no other college tradition comes anything close to The Wave.
On September 6th of this year, my wife had a tumor removed from her brain. We spent 4 days at UI and I can honestly say it was one of the most professional yet friendly and comforting hospitals I've ever been in. During some of those days, I would routinely see several of the children from Stead and watching these brave little people gave me the resolve I needed to get through one of the scariest moments of my life. As I type this, I can look to my right and see my wife fast asleep next to me, fully recovered and I think of the people and children still up there, fighting. God bless them all and the entire staff at UI Hospital.
Hats off to Hawkeyes from an Yellow Jackets Fan I went to watch a football game there once as a neutral just to wave. Cuz hopefully my wave can bring just a lil hope and a smile on one of those kids there, and hopefully make them forget they are sick for a lil bit. But to be honest when we were waving had tears cuz of the thought those lil kids r sick.
Im santa for a children's hospital in Wisconsin and advid blood and platelet donor. I emotionally happy seeing this powerful tradition. I hope to participate next fall when the badgers play the Hawkeyes
As a proud Buckeye, we stand with you Hawkeye Nation!!!! What a great group of people you must be to have the class to make something like this happen!!!! Good luck this Saturday! O-H!!!!
J High can you explain how he is a liar? This is about SOOO much more than football and who gives a SHIT what football team you support, when it comes to this situation.. we are all on the same team. I have been bleeding black and gold since the day I came into this earth and I will gladly stand next to a buckeye, a cyclone HELL I’d stand next to a cornhusker when it comes to supporting the kids. Go spread negativity on a different post. #gohawks #FTK
J High reply* nice try though. You’re a reaaaaaal piece of work if you’re trying to pick a fight on a post about people supporting DYING CHILDREN. I’ll pray for you.
Husker fan and LOVE THE WAVE!!!! Classy Iowa!!!! We all pray for Daxon, and all the strong children fighting this terrible disease... LOVE YOU ALL!!! FROM NEBRASKA.
Absolutely amazing and these damn eyes are having some issues and I respect the hell out the the Iowa Hawkeyes for doing such a heartfelt tradition and God bless and keep fighting kids; the battle shall be won!
Sun Devil fan and I’m going to a game this season just to make a donation and wave at the kids. When I watch the Hawkeyes play on TV, I wave from home 👋🏼🙏🏼
For me, this reminds me that the real game is the game of life ❤ Hands down one of the best or if not the best tradition in college football. Sure it’s not the super hype stuff but the Kinnick Wave for sure is very heartwarming
Nah, I'm a Cyclone fan, and we'll admit it when even the Hawkeyes do something good. And this is definitely something good. My theory is that the (currently) 16 people who hit the thumbs-down couldn't see well enough through the tears.
honestly probably those that have lost loved ones at that hospital. Perhaps watching the video brought back those memories and probably advocated at some point for the video to be taken down due to the emotional trauma it can have on families. I don;t know just a thought.
I’m a Hawk living in SEC territory and that couldn’t be further from the truth. Sure there’s some idiot fans here but don’t let a few bad apples spoil the whole bunch.
I'm from Louisiana and I'm a die hard LSU fan, you sir are wrong!! we might have some that are bad but incan promise you that we are not all like that. Alot of southern ppl would give you the shirt off their back much less mock the sick.
Michigan State fan here. A few seasons ago, we were allowed to participate in the wave remotely at Spartan Stadium during a game against Iowa. So happy and proud to be able to participate. I think this is the best tradition in college football.
chills sam davidson has to go in two weeks then home two weeks back and forth his mom sells bracelets that say "SuperSam" wear it everyday no kids should go through this hell. Respect to Iowa
Tennessee fan here. That's a true coach/role model. I feel like I'm a pretty hard dude. Rough hillbilly from the Appalachian mountains and this got me crying like a baby. I couldn't imagine this as a parent.
I could watch this everyday to keep me grounded that the things I think may be hard, are absolutely nothing compared to the struggles those kids and families go through.
I love all of these videos because it goes to show that even the biggest fans of rival schools can come to recognize that there are things that are bigger than the game, and this is certainly one of them. Iowa is an all time class act for this, its beyond special.
When I see Kirk start to break down, I'm one hot mess of tears. Today is a night game. Most if not all who are in Kinnick Stadium will be waving with the lights from their cellphones. What makes it even more cool is that everyone takes the time to do it which means the opponents and their coaches as well as the referees. I broke down the first time I saw it, and while it's been 2 years, I still tear up at the end of the 1st quarter.
Absolutely love this tradition! My heart goes out to all families that have to been impacted by cancer and to see their loved ones suffer so much. Well done the University of Iowa. I'll always root for the Huskers but for that one special moment during the game, I'm a Iowa fan. God bless!
Big respect to Iowa football...Coach Ferrentz from a Texas ATM fan down here in Htown TX... Big 👋 from the whole state of Texas to them kids. We ridin with ya
I am a 52 year old army veteran and when I find an Iowa game is on I make an effort to see this knowing that this just breaks my heart. It tears me up to where my I just wanna burst out the waterworks. Some of these children, I think will never see the next wave. It hurts me so much. I use to tell my daughter, a veterinary medicine school student, that if daddy was smart I would have gone into children's medicine. It sickens me to find words like oncology and children side by side, or any other sickness es such. I remember a time I was in uniform and I believe the kid was like eleven perhaps twelve, she had the prettiest, brightest eyes one could ever see. She was in pain, I could tell as I heard her tell her mom to wheel her to me. She thanked me, asked for a salute, reached her to tiny frail hand to me for a handshake. Her hand moving slowly as I reached out. I was literally shaking in my boots trying to fight my emotions. Her preteen bald head with tiny red hairs just pierced me. The three of us spoke for a few minutes, little child saying how tough and strong I must be to join the army......,....as I was leaving, I told her how brave she is and she said her favorite movies, books, and such, as I left I said to the mom that they are stronger than I ever will be, the girl heard and started clapping.......I cried as I turned the corner. And I am crying now.
I spent a lot of time with my family in children’s hospitals as my younger brother was very sick for a long time. By God, I’m not an Iowa fan but they have my deepest respect.
Shout out to Daxon , Sam & the other kids in that hospital stay strong dude you'll make it through I'm a brain surgery survivor , you & the rest of those kids are ALOT STRONGER THAN YOU EVEN THINK👏🏽
True hero's fight against all odds so that others can live and they NEVER give up!. Even if they lose their own lives, their fight continues so that others can learn how to defeat the "enemy" of disease and cancer. These children and the children of every Children's Hospital are TRUE HEROS!!
As a lifelong Oregon fan, I was thrilled to see that the Ducks are going to Iowa City next year. That's the one away game I'm definitely going to for this reason.
Bama Fan, and this is a great tradition when you see people go through these things have something to look forward to at the end of the week its really something special. I gotta say theres some week where i just want to go by fast and all I think of is that game on Saturday, ROLL TIDE!
Whoever planned the architecture of the hospital or stadium is a genius
I'm a Husker fan and am literally buying tickets to the next game in Iowa City just to wave at those kids. That is the greatest tradition in football history. Makes me cry like a baby. Good for Iowa, holy shit that is amazing
A JW Thanks for your words, I hope you made it to that game.
I stopped caring after you said “I’m a husker fan..”
A JW I’m an LSU fan and said the same thing to my wife, I want to go there just for that tradition.
Wow: respect from gopher nation
A JW you can come to this Hawkeye fan’s tailgate any time!
I'm a Badgers fan, and this is the nicest tradition in College Football. Whenever I watch Iowa play at home, I wave from in front of my television set even though they don't see it.
Uncultured Barbarian As a Hawk fan, we wave to our tvs also. Thank you for your nice comment!
You are the MVP 😊
I thought I was the only one that waved at the rv
When the interviewer tells Kirk Ferentz, "This next question is going to be tough." Kirk obviously knows what it involves when he nods, saying "Yeah..." and just when you think he's ready, he's not. Neither was I. His emotions were overwhelming.
Matthew S I've watched it MANY times, and when I see Kirk start to lose it, that's it for me.
Matthew, as soon as I hear his voice break as he gets out a quick "yep", then watch his face while he fights tears, I lose it and am one hot mess bawling for the next 10 minutes. He's been our coach for 21 years now, and something I've noticed with each year for the last 5 or so is that after a big win, he is emotional while the person is trying to interview him. I love seeing a full grown man in tears like that because he's so proud of his players. You'll never see him yell at a player, but when he thinks his boys have been wronged, he's chewed on more than one ref's ear and spit it out. Amazing he's only gotten a few penalties over those years. Last week, his son Brian who is our O Line coach got an unsportsmanlike penalty for 15 yards, apparently he called a ref a motherfucker. I'm usually pretty good at reading lips when it's profanity. Kirk walked over to Brian and I don't know what he said to him but it was only one or two words. No facial expression or anything. It wasn't funny at the time because the game was far from over, but afterwards, it was funny then. Kathy
That and the patient's little lip quiver @5:52 made me tear up. I wish we could do even more for every Pediatric hospital that exists
I'm not American...I don't even understand or follow American football, leave alone college football.
I don't know how this came into my feed and I also have no idea of how my eyes got wet all of a sudden .
The story is a reminder...about empathy....caring for the suffering of others...about the innocence of small children wherever they are ... and how all of these put us in touch with our universal humanity.....wherever we are.
Am glad to have seen this story.
If you would like to learn more about the sport, we Americans would be happy to teach you.
"Baseball is America's Pasttime... football is America's Passion." -- Joe Montana
Danny Meeker baseball is gay
What is this water flowing from my eyes? 💙❤️
That is without a doubt THE best tradition in college football!! I am a die hard Michigan fan but ever since this thing started I am an Iowa fan as well. What a beautiful thing that wave is!!
Me.too.... Michigan fan, and Iowa fan too.
Michigan fan here. Grew up 25 minutes from Ann Arbor. Moved to Iowa in 2006. I'm a Michigan and an Iowa fan now. This may be the best reason why.
They are both having Great seasons this year too!! So far! Michigan has some tough games coming up, so we will see how good they really are. Iowa beat Penn State last week so I was really happy about that!!👍😊
Truth!
Coming from a Tennessee fan. Kirk Ferentz is a class act and so is everyone involved with Iowa football. This is what makes college football great
This is one of the coolest things I have ever seen
Being a die-hard Notre Dame subway alum, I love tradition, pageantry and ghosts of the past haunting these old stadiums but I think this has got to be one of the greatest modern traditions in college football. Salute to Iowa for creating this honor. To hear how it gave a suffering child something to look forward to during a difficult week of recovery is incredibly touching! Schedule the Irish for a trip to Kinnick! I'm coming!
God Bless the Hawkeye family-from a Wolverine fan
Zombie Killer
Liar.
From a Scarlet Knight
From LSU Tigers
When I'm discouraged by the racism, bigotry, violence, and apathy going on now, videos like this serve to remind me how much love and light there still is in the world. Love and light will always beat the dark ❤🕊
I know who I'm playing as in College Football 25, and the Hawkeyes just gained a fan in Tucson, AZ
Michigan fan here who once attended a Michigan Iowa game in Iowa, several years ago. Loved the stadium and the people. Everyone was super nice and welcoming. This a wonderful tradition. I'm seriously in tears. Great job Iowa!
Proud to be a Hawkeye fan. My son goes to this hospital for care, thankfully for nothing life threatening but they have the best docs anywhere. We drive past the stadium everytime we go and hopefully someday soon we'll be able to make a game. My son would love to wave to the other kids!!
MAJOR props and respect from an FSU fan. Go Hawkeyes!
Even if you are a fan of the road team and made the trip to Iowa City, you can't help but to participate. The road team acknowledges this tradition and waves to the children at the hospital.
How could you not
At the end of the day fuck the teams... what you are doing is bigger than both of them
Billy Sou Including coaches and the referees!!! EVERYONE takes the time for the gesture. At least it sure looks like it!!
It transcends football.
This & the jmack story are the best from ESPN!
This is phenomenal. Community at heart is unparalleled
I see you 😭
This is why I love Iowa and I also live in Iowa too
Hands down this story broke me like nothing else. God bless Iowa football
Every time I feel down on myself I watch this and have some hope about the world
I recently learned that a young boy from our community passed away last year on the same day as the famous Iowa vs Ohio State game which the Hawkeyes won 55-24
The child passed away shortly after the end of the first quarter (which is when Hawk fans Wave up to the hospital)
One of his mother’s final experiences with him was holding him in her arms as Hawk fans waved up at them.
I can’t help but think from the way his mother told this story that the Wave meant a lot to her. I also can’t help but hope that the tremendous positivity emanating from across the street that day might have somehow added the tiniest ray of daylight to what must be one of that family’s darkest moments.
Prayers to everyone who has been touched by the children’s hospital. The people of Iowa stand by you
And a Buckeye too. No matter what ate affiliation, we need to stand behind our kids. EVERYBODY STRONG!!!!! Jessica
Oh, that makes me cry..
I was already crying... now I'm really cutting onions... greatest tradition in college football and prolly all levels of all sports
I am an Iowa Fan and I have participated in the wave. Truely amazing.
As a broadcast engineer for one of the major television networks that broadcasts Iowa games, I make a point of leaving the TV truck and going into the stadium a few minutes before the end of the 1st quarter just for this moment each time.
I've watched this more than once, tears EVERY TIME. Such a heart warming story showing people, especially children with so much courage. It's a shame they have to go through this pain at any age, but particularly as children. #GOhawkeyes....
This is why I love my Iowa team to make sure that the patients are not forgotten
I lost my little brother to cancer who was a patient at that hospital. He passed in 1998 but memories of him are still strong. We go to every Iowa home game and the wave is such a great memory that makes us feel like he is still with us
This video made me freaking cry my eyes out
Born I'm Iowa City, raised in Iowa. I've been here my whole life. This is just the most amazing and beautiful gesture ever. I remember when Ohio State came to Kinnick a few years ago and their team waved as well 👍🏿🌹🙏🏿🥲
Go Hawkeyes. This world needs more of you.
I'm a South Dakota State fan and when I went to Iowa City to see SDSU vs Iowa and this tradition is one of the best in college football
Ohio state fan here … best tradition in football right here ❤️❤️
Without a doubt, the best tradition in college football. God bless the kids and their families and the staff at the Stead Family Children's Hospital. And God bless the lady who came up with the idea back in 2017.
I am a life long Hawkeye fan and I saw a few Wisconsin guys on their way to Nebraska to play the Huskers. They stopped and bought tickets from scalpers just so they could watch until the end of the first quarter and take part in the wave. They were the only people wearing red in the stadium and it was the coolest thing I ever seen.
From a southern guy and all his friends here, thanks to all the fans there at the stadium and we are behind yall 100 percent in wishing those children hope and the families quality time together
Love seeing this, wish I had something like this when I was at Shands in Gainesville. This video nothing will show you how much this kind of thing means to a family and a patient. Thank You Iowa for starting a tradition like this!
- sincerely children's cancer survivor and Florida State fan
This is amazing what Iowa does for those kids
I watch the Iowa games just for the wave. Love it.
As a nittany lion fan what you guys do for those kids is really pretty awesome, god bless you all
Just learned of this today after reading stories of the Purdue student who saw his Boilermakers beat Ohio State. What a wonderful new tradition! Thank you Iowa fans.
Always gonna root for Iowa man
Brings a tear every time, and I watch often. Great tribute.
Oregon Ducks fan here and now that we're part of the B1G I can't wait for my first chance to fly out to Iowa solely to take part in this greatest of traditions. I love my Duck on a Harley, I love my Shout, but no other college tradition comes anything close to The Wave.
Never stop waving Iowa! This is the best tradition in all of sports.
There has been something magical about Kinnick ever since this tradition started.
Was in the hostpital for this😭. I loved seeing the games and all the waves won’t ever forget
Brings tears to my eyes every time I watch it its inspiring
On September 6th of this year, my wife had a tumor removed from her brain. We spent 4 days at UI and I can honestly say it was one of the most professional yet friendly and comforting hospitals I've ever been in. During some of those days, I would routinely see several of the children from Stead and watching these brave little people gave me the resolve I needed to get through one of the scariest moments of my life. As I type this, I can look to my right and see my wife fast asleep next to me, fully recovered and I think of the people and children still up there, fighting. God bless them all and the entire staff at UI Hospital.
Iowa Hawkeyes, sign me up for life. Your team and community has a new fan.
Hats off to Hawkeyes from an Yellow Jackets Fan I went to watch a football game there once as a neutral just to wave. Cuz hopefully my wave can bring just a lil hope and a smile on one of those kids there, and hopefully make them forget they are sick for a lil bit. But to be honest when we were waving had tears cuz of the thought those lil kids r sick.
So glad they added this in ncaa 25
Im santa for a children's hospital in Wisconsin and advid blood and platelet donor. I emotionally happy seeing this powerful tradition. I hope to participate next fall when the badgers play the Hawkeyes
Dammit Rinaldi you made me cry again ......
As a proud Buckeye, we stand with you Hawkeye Nation!!!! What a great group of people you must be to have the class to make something like this happen!!!! Good luck this Saturday!
O-H!!!!
Kyle Hurd
Liar.
J High can you explain how he is a liar? This is about SOOO much more than football and who gives a SHIT what football team you support, when it comes to this situation.. we are all on the same team. I have been bleeding black and gold since the day I came into this earth and I will gladly stand next to a buckeye, a cyclone HELL I’d stand next to a cornhusker when it comes to supporting the kids. Go spread negativity on a different post. #gohawks #FTK
Tanner Rathjens
OMG.......I'm so choked up after your motivational repy!!!! Let's go save some kids!!!!
J High reply* nice try though. You’re a reaaaaaal piece of work if you’re trying to pick a fight on a post about people supporting DYING CHILDREN. I’ll pray for you.
Tanner Rathjens
Im sure you'll enjoy spending time on your knees.
What a great tradition it is!!! I am deeply moved.. Keep it up IOWA! So proud of you.
Husker fan and LOVE THE WAVE!!!! Classy Iowa!!!! We all pray for Daxon, and all the strong children fighting this terrible disease... LOVE YOU ALL!!! FROM NEBRASKA.
Absolutely amazing and these damn eyes are having some issues and I respect the hell out the the Iowa Hawkeyes for doing such a heartfelt tradition and God bless and keep fighting kids; the battle shall be won!
Sun Devil fan and I’m going to a game this season just to make a donation and wave at the kids. When I watch the Hawkeyes play on TV, I wave from home 👋🏼🙏🏼
For me, this reminds me that the real game is the game of life ❤
Hands down one of the best or if not the best tradition in college football. Sure it’s not the super hype stuff but the Kinnick Wave for sure is very heartwarming
Kirk you have a new supporter. I had no idea what you went through. Prayers from Husker Nation
Gopher nation here, we honor this tradition on road games.
Thank you Collin Brummund!!!!
Hats off to you Hawkeyes. From a Hoosier grad.
Who would seriously dislike this video?
Exactly
Cyclone fans
Nah, I'm a Cyclone fan, and we'll admit it when even the Hawkeyes do something good. And this is definitely something good.
My theory is that the (currently) 16 people who hit the thumbs-down couldn't see well enough through the tears.
Ohio State fans
honestly probably those that have lost loved ones at that hospital. Perhaps watching the video brought back those memories and probably advocated at some point for the video to be taken down due to the emotional trauma it can have on families. I don;t know just a thought.
Living in SEC Country I can assure you this is getting a lot of props down here. Incredible stuff.
I’m a Hawk living in SEC territory and that couldn’t be further from the truth. Sure there’s some idiot fans here but don’t let a few bad apples spoil the whole bunch.
I'm from Louisiana and I'm a die hard LSU fan, you sir are wrong!! we might have some that are bad but incan promise you that we are not all like that. Alot of southern ppl would give you the shirt off their back much less mock the sick.
Michigan State fan here. A few seasons ago, we were allowed to participate in the wave remotely at Spartan Stadium during a game against Iowa. So happy and proud to be able to participate. I think this is the best tradition in college football.
This is a great tradition. I’m proud of Iowa for waving to the kids makes them excited that someone cares about them.
From a Cyclone, the Hawkeyes are awesome for this.
chills sam davidson has to go in two weeks then home two weeks back and forth his mom sells bracelets that say "SuperSam" wear it everyday no kids should go through this hell. Respect to Iowa
Tennessee fan here. That's a true coach/role model. I feel like I'm a pretty hard dude. Rough hillbilly from the Appalachian mountains and this got me crying like a baby. I couldn't imagine this as a parent.
I could watch this everyday to keep me grounded that the things I think may be hard, are absolutely nothing compared to the struggles those kids and families go through.
Absolutely adore this. One of the many things that makes college football great!
I love all of these videos because it goes to show that even the biggest fans of rival schools can come to recognize that there are things that are bigger than the game, and this is certainly one of them. Iowa is an all time class act for this, its beyond special.
PSU fan here. Classy. Prayers to all. Condolences to those who need it.
The best tradition in all sports. 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥. Nominate the school for a noble peace prize 💯💯💯💯💯
Thank you, University of Iowa, for doing this. I didn't expect to be in tears after watching. 😥 💛🖤
LSU fan here, but Iowa, this one waters my eyes. Just learned of your tradition just now. Truly the greatest tradition!!
This made me cry.😢 We need more kind gestures in our society
From a diehard KU Jayhawk....way to go Hawkeyes!! You have a new fan!
When I see Kirk start to break down, I'm one hot mess of tears. Today is a night game. Most if not all who are in Kinnick Stadium will be waving with the lights from their cellphones. What makes it even more cool is that everyone takes the time to do it which means the opponents and their coaches as well as the referees. I broke down the first time I saw it, and while it's been 2 years, I still tear up at the end of the 1st quarter.
God bless those kids.
I'm not crying! You're crying!
Everybody's crying.
You're right. I'm crying.
As a Hawkeye fan for as long as I can remember seeing Kirk like that really gets to me.
Absolutely love this tradition! My heart goes out to all families that have to been impacted by cancer and to see their loved ones suffer so much. Well done the University of Iowa. I'll always root for the Huskers but for that one special moment during the game, I'm a Iowa fan. God bless!
This is so AWESOME and thanks for the tears! I love it! Praying!
Big respect to Iowa football...Coach Ferrentz from a Texas ATM fan down here in Htown TX... Big 👋 from the whole state of Texas to them kids. We ridin with ya
I'm from the Philippines. This one made me cry
I'm not crying, you're crying through my eyes!!!
What a beautiful tradition.
UA-cam needs a “Love” button for this video! This is beyond inspiring ❤️
I am a 52 year old army veteran and when I find an Iowa game is on I make an effort to see this knowing that this just breaks my heart. It tears me up to where my I just wanna burst out the waterworks. Some of these children, I think will never see the next wave. It hurts me so much. I use to tell my daughter, a veterinary medicine school student, that if daddy was smart I would have gone into children's medicine. It sickens me to find words like oncology and children side by side, or any other sickness es such.
I remember a time I was in uniform and I believe the kid was like eleven perhaps twelve, she had the prettiest, brightest eyes one could ever see. She was in pain, I could tell as I heard her tell her mom to wheel her to me. She thanked me, asked for a salute, reached her to tiny frail hand to me for a handshake. Her hand moving slowly as I reached out. I was literally shaking in my boots trying to fight my emotions. Her preteen bald head with tiny red hairs just pierced me. The three of us spoke for a few minutes, little child saying how tough and strong I must be to join the army......,....as I was leaving, I told her how brave she is and she said her favorite movies, books, and such, as I left I said to the mom that they are stronger than I ever will be, the girl heard and started clapping.......I cried as I turned the corner. And I am crying now.
Seeing Kirk Ferentz trying not to break down just had me tearing up. Couldn't imagine losing a child especially an innocent little baby.
I spent a lot of time with my family in children’s hospitals as my younger brother was very sick for a long time.
By God, I’m not an Iowa fan but they have my deepest respect.
Best tradition in college football
Hard to keep a dry eye
God this could become one of the greatest traditions in all of college football new or not and thanks Iowa for making me fucking cry
Roll Tide 👍🏻
Shout out to Daxon , Sam & the other kids in that hospital stay strong dude you'll make it through I'm a brain surgery survivor , you & the rest of those kids are ALOT STRONGER THAN YOU EVEN THINK👏🏽
True hero's fight against all odds so that others can live and they NEVER give up!. Even if they lose their own lives, their fight continues so that others can learn how to defeat the "enemy" of disease and cancer. These children and the children of every Children's Hospital are TRUE HEROS!!
4 years later watching this video again and I’m a mess! I wonder how the children in this video are doing today. God bless them and their families.
My family and I are huge Nebraska fans but I was born in that hospital. Kinda hard to not like both teams
As a lifelong Oregon fan, I was thrilled to see that the Ducks are going to Iowa City next year. That's the one away game I'm definitely going to for this reason.
Bama Fan, and this is a great tradition when you see people go through these things have something to look forward to at the end of the week its really something special. I gotta say theres some week where i just want to go by fast and all I think of is that game on Saturday, ROLL TIDE!