Shortly after the coin toss and just moments before kickoff, players and coaches from both teams, including former Penn State players at the game for Senior Day, and a throng of those credentialed with sideline passes, met in the middle of the field.
In a somewhat surreal setting, more than 100,000 fans in attendance became silent as those on the field dropped to one knee to listen to Nebraska running back coach Ron Brown lead the teams in prayer.
The action was part of a college community trying to heal in the wake of child sexual assault charges against Jerry Sandusky, the former defensive coordinators for Penn State University’s football team, and the subsequent firing of both head coach Joe Paterno and the university’s president last week.
“We knew we were going to go into a battle against each other because it was a big game for both teams,” said Brown, as reported by PennLive.com. “But there was something bigger. We know there are jobs being lost and all kinds of things and who knows what is going to happen at Penn State particularly in the upcoming months here. But there was a humility and a sincerity and a vulnerability as all the players took their hats off and knelt before God.”
Brown is reported to not have a particular message planned for the pre-game prayer, but wanted to “Thank God for choosing everyone on the field to be able to join together in the midst of tragedy.”
Adding to the surreal atmosphere, the crowd began clapping in rhythm before the prayer was over. Brown appeared unfazed by the growing roar and finished the prayer.
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