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SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS (December 2, 2012) Normally, Thanksgiving break for college
students means coming home to mom’s cooking, Thanksgiving dinner with family
and three days worth of leftovers before having to pack up and get back to school.
But for Oklahoma Panhandle State University freshman tight
end, Aubrey Oswalt, making the trip home from Oklahoma to San Marcos, TX
wouldn’t be the end of his journey.
The former San Marcos Academy quarterback/cornerback decided
to give back during his Thanksgiving break and assist two former Academy alumni
before making the trek back to Goodwell.
Oswalt decided to volunteer for Gridrion Heroes. He was one
of over 25 students from Texas State University and the University of Texas-San
Antonio and Gridiron Heroes volunteers that sold rally towels benefitting the
spinal cord injury foundation as fans walked into the Alamodome for the I-35
Rivalry matchup of Texas State and UTSA.
Gridiron Heroes Spinal Cord Injury Foundation provides
immediate and long term resources and support to individuals sustaining a
catastrophic spinal cord injury through activities associated with high school
football. Gridiron Heroes is a 501 (C) 3 Non-Profit organization.
Oswalt got to know former SMA Bear Chris Canales through projects
with his father’s company, Sports Marketing Experts.
On November 2, 2001, Chris Canales, a senior defensive back
playing for San Marcos Academy, sustained a spinal cord injury during the
fourth quarter of his final regular season game. Chris lay motionless on the field for 19
minutes. The next three weeks, Chris fought for his life. The following months he battled through
rehabilitation trying to gain movement and learning how to function as a
quadriplegic.
Chris’ injury and the lack of any organized support system
for families prompted his father, Eddie Canales, the Canales family and former
coach Mike Kipp to begin discussions about the desperate need for an
organization for families who were forced to deal with the consequences of this
devastating injury.
Last year, Eddie Canales was nominated as a CNN Hero of the
year.
About 5,000 Gridiron Heroes rally towels were available at
tailgate areas and all entrances prior to kickoff.
The towels were produced at
a reduced cost to Gridiron Heroes by Rivercity Sportswear.
“It’s fun to be a part of it,” said Oswalt, who helped load
boxes of towels into carts and assisted directly in sales. “I’m excited to be
in Texas for Thanksgiving break. It’s a special time of year. All the sharing,
giving, appreciate, it comes with a great day and a good game between teams
from my home area in the Alamodome.”
