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He was playing for her husband (Emery's mother's husband), Webster Garrison, who spent six months in the hospital due to complications from COVID-19 as his kidneys gave out, he suffered two strokes and he remains paralyzed on his left side.

He was playing for Nikki (his mother), as she tested positive in the spring as well and fought challenging symptoms, or as she lost her mother to lung cancer during the pandemic after months of caring for her, or as she’s spent the past six months dedicating her life to aiding Garrison as he finally returned home Tuesday and is on dialysis three times a week.

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But things can’t simply go smoothly. Not this year. Right around then, Garrison’s temperature started to spike and he felt feverish. Soon he was vomiting. He was reacting poorly to the dialysis. Nikki called an ambulance, and they spent the rest of the evening in the emergency room.

Garrison is feeling better as of Sunday morning (after the Vanderbilt game). Nikki didn’t get any sleep, and they’re both simply tired of this painful life that continues each and every day. Garrison will stay at the hospital for a few more days.

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And after the game, Emery sent a photo to the family group chat with all of the aunts and cousins and siblings. It was a picture of him preparing in the locker room before the game with the caption: “Do it for the nights I seen my mama shed tears.”

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It’s been a trying year for Emery, to say the least. He arrived at LSU as a highly-touted blue-chip prospect who many expected to come in and be the new star LSU running back from day one. Even he expected it, to some extent. Instead, Clyde Edwards-Helaire ran away with the starting job and became an All-SEC player and first-round NFL draft pick.

Meanwhile, Emery struggled. Everyone knew his raw talent and natural ability, but he was also just that — raw. His football IQ was lower than LSU would have liked. He struggled to block. He couldn’t catch the ball. His work ethic also left plenty to be desired. All of it left him frustrated and disappointed.

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So 12 months after being pulled from a game after missing a block, after being marginalized on one of the best teams ever, Emery may have found his role. And it’s come after the most challenging year in his family’s life. Emery himself tested positive for COVID-19 this year, Nikki confirmed, but his symptoms were minor.

He’s watched his stepfather fight for his life. He watched his grandmother die and several other family members fall ill. He watched his mother try to keep a family together through it all.

I get it. It's frustrating watching a guy with a lot of hype surrounding him and not live up to expectations. I guarantee you it's even more frustrating in HIS eyes. We might never hear an exact answer to why he isn't on the field. Is it because of grades? Quite possibly. Are there outside factors that would affect him? Absolutely. Give the man some benefit of the doubt and stop assuming that he does not care. And if he doesn't care, there are more important things in life than a goddamn football game.