As Hudson sat at home watching that game go to overtime, he realized how badly he wanted success for all of his former teammates. He never, ever rooted against the Cowboys, but after that, he found it so much easier to root for them.

“I had so many big goals and so many things I wanted to accomplish on that field,” he said, “so every game, it didn't get any easier.

“It still was horrible not playing,” he said. “And part of me still wonders if God could perform a crazy miracle and open a door for me to go back on the team. But realistically, it's not going to happen.”

Yet, Hudson looks at all that has happened. Because he wasn't doing football conditioning last summer, he was able to attend Kaleo, a nine-week experience that develops student leaders for campus ministry.

Hudson now leads a weekly Bible study called Men's Group. More than three dozen guys have attended, about 15 of them regularly, and most of them are football players.

“He's able to really pour into some guys,” said Andrew McGee, one of Hudson's closest friends who played defensive back for the Cowboys last season and is now a student volunteer. “The type of respect that he gained on the field with how dedicated he was and how hard he played … it just enhanced his platform. The platform's still there, and I know that's what he's most thankful for.