The atmosphere moments after the Badger Capital One Bowl victory in Orlando encompassed everything that is special and unique to UW athletics.
A sea of red and white remained after the game to join Badger players and coaches celebrate the upset victory over Auburn. Graduating center Donovan Raiola and linebacker Dontez Sanders threw the remains of their battle-tested jerseys into a swarm of UW fans while many coaches, knowing they had coached their final game under both departing coach Barry Alvarez and for UW, hugged both players and family members with tears in their eyes.
I stood just a few yards away as Brian Calhoun, joined by Alvarez, rose to the podium to receive the game's most valuable player award.
Calhoun accepted gracefully and simply smiled with his right hand in the air, a final salute to the Badger faithful, as the crowd made a final optimistic plea of 'one more year.' It was nearly impossible not to get lost in the moment. Never had I felt more close to a Badger victory than I did on the field that day.
From whatever region of the country he watched, the win apparently sparked similar feelings in former Badger running back Dwayne Smith, who after sitting out the past two seasons after doctors discovered a potentially life-threatening heart condition, recently made it clear to new UW head coach Brett Bielema he wants to don the cardinal and white once again.
An enlargement of the heart muscle and a thickening of the walls of the left ventricle typically characterize Smith's condition, known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. While any condition dealing with the heart is particularly alarming, Smith's situation is especially delicate.
'This condition is associated with sudden death,' Greg Landry, UW's team physician, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 'About 10 percent of people will die suddenly with no symptoms. (Death) is their first symptom.'
This is not the first time UW has lost a star athlete to a rare heart disease. Before playing a single game for the Badgers, highly touted men's basketball recruit Latrell Fleming learned he had a similar disease after complications he experienced during preseason drills in 2001.
At the time, Fleming, a Milwaukee Marshall graduate, was a more accomplished player than (Dallas Mavaerks guard and lottery pick) Devin Harris, who both came to UW in the same recruiting class.
Fleming followed doctor's advice and never made his debut with the team. Instead, he stayed on scholarship and remained part of the team helping with the coaching staff.
That brings to question, how big of a risk are athletes willing to take with their lives on the line? Furthermore, when does it become a coach's responsibility to hold a player from competition if he or she is aware of a life threatening condition?
Bielema recently addressed the controversial situation.
'My position will not change from the university's position,' Bielema told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Monday. 'He will not be allowed to participate on our team until we have full medical clearance. He is going to meet again with our doctors and we'll re-evaluate to make sure there hasn't been a change in his (health) status. But as of right now ... my first and foremost concern is for Dwayne's health and personal well-being.'
It is clear Bielema would welcome the return of Smith, who rushed 275 times for 1,409 yards (5.1 yards per carry) and 15 touchdowns in two seasons. During that time, he was listed as the primary backup to Anthony Davis during his sophomore and junior seasons.
With Calhoun entering the NFL draft in April and the status of Booker Stanley's eligibility still up in the air, it has been rumored the Badger coaches are in the process of making changes involving current sophomore running back Jamil Walker moving to linebacker and freshman Antonio Freeman moving from cornerback to replace his open spot in the backfield.
The current crop of backs, including three freshman who redshirted this season are inexperienced and untested, making the potential presence of Smith a huge boost for next year.
Still, the benefits he brings to the team and the feeling to once again play the sport he has dominated his entire career should not suppress the risks that involve playing.
It is impossible for anyone to gauge the thought process in this type of setback. Ultimately, the decision must come down to proper advice from doctors and guidance from family members.
Similarly related to this issue, the sports world was once again reminded just how trivial competition becomes when compared to life and death when Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy learned his son had committed suicide.
Sunday, the Colts suffered what many have labeled a 'devastating' loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers. To be correct, the loss of the game was disappointing; the loss of a family member was devastating.
It appears that Smith, who is scheduled to meet with UW doctors later this week and has already stated he is willing to transfer if not allowed to play in Madison is eager to get back onto the field.
It appears one thing is certain if Smith is given clearance to resume playing: As displayed in past accounts, can assure his teammates on the offensive line that they are going to 'have the best season of their lives.'
