re: What happened to Ciron Black’s football career?

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He's played all but 20 snaps for a team competing for a national championship, but on the night he proved how much he truly means to his school, LSU's 317-pound left tackle wasn't on the football field.

He was alone in his apartment, staring at a computer, trying to see through his own tears as he typed a message to an 8-year-old boy he'd never met.

"Hey Michael, " the note began, "I recently saw your story and wanted to have the honor to write in your guest book. My name is Ciron Black. "

No one paid much attention to Ciron Black during LSU's final media session before Monday's national championship game against Ohio State. All-American Glenn Dorsey had his own podium, and reporters lined up five-deep to listen to coach Les Miles.

But when a member of LSU's media relations staff tried to seek out Black for an interview, he ducked and hid behind a teammate, grinning sheepishly when he was finally discovered.

"I didn't write that letter," he said, "to get attention."

Which makes his story that much better.

While surfing the Internet Dec. 16, Black received an email containing a link to CaringBridge.org. He logged on the site and read the story of Michael "Mikey" Conger, an intense LSU fan who is battling cancer-related complications at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis.

In his healthier days Mikey wore jersey No. 70 when competing for his youth football team – the same number as Ciron.

"I fell in love with the kid," said Ciron, who was so moved by Mikey's situation that he left this message on his guestbook:

"I am the left tackle for the LSU Tigers football team. I'm also number 70 and I saw you wearing that jersey number, that's a great number by the way :). You know some people see us as heroes because of how we play but the truth is people like yourself are the real heroes. I see all the small problems I face are nothing compared to the hardships that you may go through. God has a plan for all of us and for some reason he put it on my heart to write you tonight. If it is at all possible I would love to talk to you. My number is ***-**** anytime, day or night, if you need someone to talk to. Hang in there buddy and just know that anything is possible through Christ."

Your friend, Ciron Black

P.S. I would love to write your name on my wrist tape as I get ready to take the field on Jan. 7th for the national championship. Let me know if that is OK.

He didn't know it then, but Black's gesture would end up touching Mikey and his family in ways he would have never imagined.

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Les Miles lied to him about his injury

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