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United States Army Col. Christopher Davis, right, walks with his family off the court after surprising them during a timeout Wednesday night.

(Vasha Hunt/vhunt@al.com)

OXFORD, Mississippi — This was one of those moments that makes the game irrelevant.

During an early timeout of Alabama's 79-67 loss at Ole Miss, the tears flowed. The family of Lt. Col. Christopher Davis were introduced to the Tad Smith Coliseum crowd.

Then Davis appeared on the video board to explain he wouldn't be coming home from overseas as planned. He spent the last year in Kuwait after joining the military following the Sept. 11, 2011 terror attacks.

Davis' sons were visibly upset to hear he wasn't coming home Saturday. But this story ended happily and rather quickly.

From the other end of the court, he appeared and walked straight to his stunned family. Tears came fast and the hugs were long.

See the video for the full experience.