Julio Fuentes, joined by his brother, Maleke, and therapists from Rehabilitation Today, returned to Alfred to finally do what he couldn't do a decade ago: walk off the field. Alfred athletics photo by Peter Mangels

Julio Fuentes walked off the field, to a frenzy of chanting, cheering, applause, and tears.

Julio Fuentes walked off the field, the same field that he once had to be carried off of after a devastating injury that changed his life forever.

On Saturday, the former Alfred University running back and return man realized a goal that he set ten years ago. Fuentes was paralyzed in the opening game of his sophomore season. Ten years later, he returned to the same field to serve as an honorary captain for the Saxons. What happened next is unlikely to be matched as the most inspirational moment of the 2016 season. (Click for video, or scroll down.)

Fuentes has remained a fixture at Saxons games, especially the past two seasons. His younger brother, Maleke, is a junior running back and wide receiver at Alfred. But Sept. 3 was no ordinary game. The Saxons decided to honor Fuentes in a pregame ceremony and raise money for Rehabilitation Today, the organization that has assisted Fuentes in his relentless recovery efforts. Fuentes joined Saxons captains Kevin LaMarque, Brendan Buisch, Shyheim Wingate, and Zach Brinkley at midfield for the coin toss. The public address announcer shared Julio's story with the crowd.

As the captains from Alfred and visiting Husson headed toward their respective sidelines, Fuentes stopped his motorized wheelchair when he reached the numbers. His occupational and physical therapists from Rehabilitation Today, donning purple and gold tee shirts with his name and number, met him there. They brought a walker.

“When I got hurt, I never got the opportunity to wave to the crowd and let them know that I’ll be okay,” said Fuentes. “This is a goal I’ve had since I knew I could regain movement in my arms and legs. Being able to be there with my teammates and do that shows that if you put your mind to something, you can beat any obstacle.”

Fuentes accumulated 816 all-purpose yards for the Saxons as a player. None were as important or memorable as the nine yards he walked from the numbers to the sideline on Saturday.

Maleke and Julio had talked and dreamed about the possibility of that moment. Seeing it come to fruition was overwhelmingly powerful. Maleke was overcome with emotion, but he was far from the only Saxons player, coach, or fan who shed tears.

“Seeing him walk off the field like that, hearing our guys cheer him on, it was awesome,” said Saxons coach Bob Rankl. “Everybody there realized this was bigger than football.”

Maleke’s thoughts went to the game on Sept. 9, 2006 against Thiel. He was a 12-year-old sixth grader who looked up to his older brother on and off the field. He has seen his brother persevere through adversity his entire life.

“He was always the No. 1 player I watched and tried to emulate,” said the younger Fuentes. “Julio always gave it his full effort, and still does.”

Rankl’s thoughts also harken back to that day, the worst day of his coaching career. But he has remained in contact with Fuentes for the past decade and is never surprised to see what his former player can accomplish.

“No doubt that was the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to go through as a football coach. It was certainly difficult moving forward,” said Rankl. “Throughout, Julio made it clear that he was going to walk again. I talk to our guys about the kind of player that he was. He is the toughest son of a gun I’ve ever coached.”

Maleke’s teammates know Julio and most of them knew his story before Saturday’s game. But they did not know that Julio was going to rise out of his chair and walk off the field. The moment they realized what was happening, the team erupted in cheers, chanting Julio’s name and shouting encouragement at him. The Saxons marching band played Gonna Fly Now as Julio rose to his feet. The moment brought the Saxons even closer together.

“It was very moving to find that I had so much support that I didn’t even know I had,” said Maleke. “I have one brother in this world, but I have 100 other brothers that have my back.”

“It was pretty powerful. I’ve never seen anything like that,” said Buisch, the senior wide receiver and co-captain. “Even if you didn’t know Julio and his story, you were moved by it. I thought about it the whole game.”

The C4 and C5 incomplete spinal cord injury altered what Julio could do physically, but he has never let it change his attitude. He is planning to go back to school and complete his degree. He hopes to become a counselor, paying forward all the support and encouragement he has received over the years.

“I didn’t expect the crowd to rally like they did,” said Fuentes. “I started to realize that I could potentially help people and inspire people. That gives a purpose to my injury.”

Everyone from Alfred made a point to mention how respectful and supportive the visitors were. Husson’s team and fans cheered loudly for Fuentes. Then, both teams put on a great game. Alfred hung on for a 35-28 win, inspired by their honorary captain.

Throughout his recovery, Fuentes knows he has a second home at Yunevich Stadium. He also attends many of Alfred’s road games. Feeling the love from the Saxon faithful on Saturday made an impact on him, but not nearly as big as the impact that he made on everyone else in attendance. Leaving that field under his own power was a dream come true, but one that took years of grueling effort. For Fuentes, Saturday was another reminder that this road to recovery is one that he will never have to walk alone.

“It’s a family thing. They’ve never not had my back,” he said of the Alfred community. “It shows what kind of people they are.”

Scroll back up, watch the video one more time. Let the emotions swell up inside you, then try to imagine how Julio Fuentes felt walking off that field.

In his own words, “It was an unbelievable culmination of happiness.”

The elephant in the room

I had to ask each man how Julio’s injury changed his perception of football. Maleke admitted that his mother did not want him to play in the few years following his brother’s injury, but she never stopped him.

Julio still enjoys watching his Saxons play, especially now that Maleke is on the team.

“When I get to watch him play, it’s almost like I’m watching myself play.”

In some ways, the injury gave these men more of an appreciation for football and how fortunate they are to line up each week.

“Within one play, your whole life is changed,” said Buisch. “That could happen to any of us at any time. It’s worth it for those of us who have a passion for the game.”

To these men, the risk is surpassed by the good that comes from the game, from the camaraderie, the discipline, and the bonds that are forged through each season and offseason.

“Football is an inherently dangerous sport,” said Rankl. “I do firmly believe that football has changed a lot of men’s lives for the better.”

Players’ Corner

This week, Heidelberg senior defensive lineman Richie Ashley shares a familiar story. Growing up in Ohio, playing football after school every day. Ashley and the Student Princes fell just short in their comeback attempt against No. 16 Cortland in the season opener. It was also the debut of new Heidelberg head coach Scott Donaldson.

When I was a little kid I watched a documentary on Terrell Davis with my dad, and after that I always wanted to play football! I played since I was seven years old and played whenever I could. Me and one of my best friends Nick Peyakov (who now plays quarterback at Mount Union) would play almost every day after school waiting for my parents to get home and take us to practice.

I can't really explain why I love the game of football with words. It is really all I know, I've made all my friends through football, I have learned many life lessons from the adversity I have faced while playing football. I love football because it has shaped me into the man I am today, and who I will be after football is over.

As part of my attempt to rekindle a love for football, I’ll be reaching out to players all season long to give them space to explain why they love the game. If you or someone you know would like to be featured in Players’ Corner this year, please reach out to me at any time.

What do you know? Do you know things? Let's find out!

There are so many worthy stories to be told and I can’t find them all on my own. Please share with me those stories that make you passionate about D-III football. If you have suggestions for next week's column, please reach out to me on Twitter at @adamturer or via email at adam.turer@d3sports.com. Thanks for reading!