Newberry: Somber ending at Memorial after big MSU win

Midwestern State and Texas A&M-Kingsville were like any two conference opponents for most of Saturday night’s game.

Both wanted a victory in the Lone Star Conference opener really bad and there were even some bad words exchanged after a play or two along the way as the Mustangs dominated start to finish in a 35-13 victory at Memorial Stadium.

On most nights that’s the reality of football. But not this time.

None of the details or even 35-13 seemed to matter much by the time the buzzer sounded. Both teams were still on the same page, only it was prayers going up for the health of Midwestern State cornerback Robert Grays.

Grays, a sophomore from Houston, went down with 3:24 left after making a tackle against Jeff Carr. His teammates were immediately concerned as was the nearby Kingsville sideline. Grays appeared to have suffered a neck injury had to leave in an ambulance and some MSU coaches, including head coach Bill Maskill headed to the hospital immediately after the game. No update on his condition has been made available but MSU updated with the fact that he was transferred to Houston for further care.

Midwestern State University Marketing & Public Information Director Julie Gaynor released a statement Sunday morning on Grays' situation.

"We all know you share the concern of the well-being of MSU sophomore Robert Grays who was injured in last night’s football game. Robert is bolstered by the presence of his family and teammates.

"The injury of any student, especially in such a public manner, greatly affects us all. We know you will join us in keeping of Robert and his family in your thoughts and prayers. We are in contact with Robert’s family, and have offered any assistance the university can provide.

"Likewise, we stand with our athletes, coaching staff, and Robert’s friends and classmates during this time. Counseling and support services are available to all members of the Midwestern community. For those desiring to gather for a moment of silence or prayer, Burns Chapel will be open from noon to 9 p.m. today. Counselors will be available from 3-5 p.m. in the Ligon conference room."

A community gathering in support of Grays will begin at 8 p.m. Monday in Sunwatcher Plaza. His teammates had all thoughts on him immediately after the game.

His teammates had all thoughts on him immediately after the game.

“That’s somebody that we practice with every day,” freshman cornerback Khahil Finley said after the game. “We all sweat together and we bleed together. We all go through stuff at the same time and for our brother to go down, that affects all of us.”

“As a team we always have that next-man-up mentality, but when someone does goes down like today everyone on the team feels for him,” MSU defensive end Alec Divalerio said. “Everyone will be praying for him and everyone will go see him as soon as they allow visitors. Everything is in God’s hands right now. Not much we can do but support him and his family.”

MSU quarterback Layton Rabb was on his sideline when it happened. Maskill gathered the team in prayer after the ambulance took Grays before the game could continue.

“For the rest of the game it felt like you could hear a pin drop,” Rabb said. “It was a sad moment. Our thoughts and prayers are with Robert and we hope he can recover and we’ll be there for him.”

Football players block out the fact that an injury could take them out at any time. They block out pain to get out there and be with their group. They hit the other guy as hard as they can. But as much as they want to win they also hope and pray that everyone walks away ready to do it again the next week.

All the post-game energy that typically would have gone into high-fives and celebration was converted into prayers and well wishes and extreme concern for one teammate.