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UAB’s tribute to a local children’s hospital was perfect (Video)

Sam Cooper
College football writer
UAB head coach Bill Clark talks with media after the teams first practice, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill, File)
UAB head coach Bill Clark talks with media after the teams first practice, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill, File)

UAB carried out an amazing tribute to a local children’s hospital for its homecoming game.

Instead of having their own last names on the backs of their jerseys, 100 UAB players instead wore the names of patients of a local children’s hospital, the Children’s Harbor Family Center at Benjamin Russell Hospital. The children’s names was a nice addition to the alternate uniforms the Blazers wore Saturday against Louisiana Tech.

Children’s Harbor, which treats seriously ill children, is located a block away from the UAB campus. It was adopted by UAB as one of its community charities last year. The players make regular visits.

To cap off the day, UAB won with a blocked field goal in the final seconds to improve to 3-2 on the season, the program’s first season since 2014.

A certain section of the stands at Legion Field was filled with the families and the 100 jerseys worn during the game were presented to each child and their family after the game.

“Children’s Harbor has absolutely become a part of the Blazer family,” UAB head coach Bill Clark said. “I intend for this relationship to grow with our program. As we build, there will be even more we can do to provide encouragement and a positive distraction to support the terrific work Children’s Harbor does.”

“The joy and enthusiasm that Coach Clark and the UAB players bring to the Children’s Harbor families is palpable and brings a level of healing that is truly beyond our ability alone,” Children’s Harbor CEO Myrle Grate said.

Added UAB athletic director Mark Ingram: “Recognizing these children and their families is a way for UAB to show our support and to let them know they are not in this fight alone. It is going to be a special day at Legion Field at our Homecoming game on Oct. 7 and we hope everyone will join us to take part in something truly unique.”

Read more college football coverage from Yahoo Sports:
• Kicker just misses a field goal due to weird rule
• Illinois joins Iowa fans waving to children’s hospital
• Ole Miss falls to Auburn, posts job for head coach
• Miami player rocks the guitar with FSU QB’s leg

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Sam Cooper is a writer for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!