You don't have to know the particulars to gather what's going on here. The snap goes through the quarterback's and running back's legs, but none of them make an effort to retrieve the ball. The nose guard rushes through the muck to scoop the loose ball, where he's joined by a joyous escort to the end zone.
We're fortunate to see stories like these -- in this case, Lockhart (Texas) senior defensive lineman Desmond Pulliam, who is on the autism spectrum -- a handful of times a year. I was compelled to write about this one in particular because Lockhart head coach Todd Moebes said one of the most profound things I've ever heard about the game of football.
"Life is not all about football, but football is all about life," he said following the scrimmage with rival Bastrop. "Being able to create these opportunities through a game, to be able to connect the dots to the heart and soul of people, that's what it's all about."
That sums it all up, doesn't it? That's why we all love this game, and why we prayed and fought for it to be played this fall. We all know it's not the most important thing in life, but the game provides avenues to change young men's lives that no other aspect of American life can match.
Losing that, even for one fall, would be losing opportunities like the one Desmond Pulliam got to enjoy on Thursday.
Here's a longer story from Austin's Fox affiliate.
Here's hoping many more Desmond Pulliams are able to enjoy moments like this for the rest of this season and in every season to come.