MSU’s Homecoming weekend was New York City firefighter Mike Cantwell’s first visit to the Midwest.
And it sure was a memorable one.
There was the parade he and his fellow rescue workers took part in Friday.
Then shortly after, he and his fellow firefighters took part in the autograph session with MSU men’s basketball head coach Tom Izzo and players before the Motown Lo’Down on Friday night.
On Saturday, MSU honored the rescue workers at halftime of the MSU-Iowa football game for their efforts following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Cantwell also spent Saturday night at a postgame get-together at head football coach Bobby Williams’ home.
And for a guy who didn’t know anything about MSU, it didn’t take him long to become a fan.
“This has been an unbelievable experience,” he said, sporting a blue blazer with a “FDNY” emblem. “The people here have been so supportive and friendly. I’ve made tons of friends already.”
Cantwell said two of his favorite memories of his trip were meeting both Izzo and Williams, men he described as “class individuals.”
“I couldn’t believe how personable both of them were,” he said. “Izzo gave us a lot of his time just to talk to us, and Williams insisted that we come by his house for a visit.”
The gestures of both high-profile coaches weren’t announced or included in any press releases.
There wasn’t airtime devoted to the coaches noble offerings. Both coaches’ actions broke the stereotype of the abrasive college coach who rules with an iron fist.
Both should be commended for their actions.
As a member of the media, I didn’t even know about the extent of the rescue worker’s visit until I met Cantwell and bought him a beer Saturday night at a local bar.
But in a time of despair when our country is trying to defend itself from future attacks, the news was one of the most positive things I’ve heard in recent days.
Forget the fact that MSU won a football game. More importantly, the school won the hearts of real heroes - firefighters and police officers who have extensively comforted and searched for human lives in the rubble of New York city.
MSU sophomore quarterback Jeff Smoker took the rescue worker’s advice and experiences to heart.
Listening to rescue workers gave him a whole different perspective on life, he said.
“The rescuers came in and talked to us about their experiences,” Smoker said. “They talked to us, and it really emphasizes the fact that football is just a game. I think it was great that they were able to come here, share their experiences and get a sense of the appreciation that this whole community has for them.”
Senior receiver Herb Haygood said the rescue workers gave the players extra motivation.
“We appreciated the New York firefighters and officers who came out,” he said. “The coaches told us to go out and maximize our performance after they spoke. It was inspirational.”
After spending about a week last month in “ground zero” searching for survivors of the attacks, Cantwell describes the experience as “shocking, heartwarming and memorable.”
“There’s nothing that I really could compare it to,” he said. “It’s just tough to explain with words. All of us in the rescue effort did what we could, I think that’s what anyone would do if put in that situation.”
Talking with him over a beer, I got a sense of the pride he has in being part of one of the most prolific rescue efforts ever.
Large groups of people applauded his heroic efforts by cheering and introducing themselves to hear about his experiences.
At a bar, of all places, people were sensitive.
But then again, the thing that might be most promising following these attacks is the fact that American pride can be found at the most obscure places. It’s a promising thing to see in these tough times.
And thanks to heroes like Cantwell, the country can overcome this adversity.
You can never have too many heroes.
Eric Lacy, a State News football reporter, can be reached at lacyeric@msu.edu.
