Iowa Hawkeyes' new tradition is more than just a wave | ESPN

Tom Rinaldi takes a deeper look into how much the Iowa Hawkeyes' new tradition of waving to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital means to each kid looking on.

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[andrewweiss]

I'm a Husker fan and am literally buying tickets to the next game in Iowa City just to wave at those kids. That is the greatest tradition in football history. Makes me cry like a baby. Good for Iowa, holy shit that is amazing

[Uncultured_Barbarian]

I'm a Badgers fan, and this is the nicest tradition in College Football. Whenever I watch Iowa play at home, I wave from in front of my television set even though they don't see it.

[HuseSale]

When the interviewer tells Kirk Ferentz, "This next question is going to be tough." Kirk obviously knows what it involves when he nods, saying "Yeah..." and just when you think he's ready, he's not. Neither was I. His emotions were overwhelming.

[mgoblue]

That is without a doubt THE best tradition in college football!! I am a die hard Michigan fan but ever since this thing started I am an Iowa fan as well. What a beautiful thing that wave is!!

[Occam]

I'm not American...I don't even understand or follow American football, leave alone college football.
I don't know how this came into my feed and I also have no idea of how my eyes got wet all of a sudden .
The story is a reminder...about empathy....caring for the suffering of others...about the innocence of small children wherever they are ... and how all of these put us in touch with our universal we are.
Am glad to have seen this story.

[woo]

Whoever planned the architecture of the hospital or stadium is a genius

[NESscratcher]

What is this water flowing from my eyes? 💙❤️

[brandonhowell]

Coming from a Tennessee fan. Kirk Ferentz is a class act and so is everyone involved with Iowa football. This is what makes college football great

[godson]

This is phenomenal. Community at heart is unparalleled

[MichaelLazorchak]

Being a die-hard Notre Dame subway alum, I love tradition, pageantry and ghosts of the past haunting these old stadiums but I think this has got to be one of the greatest modern traditions in college football. Salute to Iowa for creating this honor. To hear how it gave a suffering child something to look forward to during a difficult week of recovery is incredibly touching! Schedule the Irish for a trip to Kinnick! I'm coming!

[mylesaguilar]

This is one of the coolest things I have ever seen

[louofm]

Michigan fan here who once attended a Michigan Iowa game in Iowa, several years ago. Loved the stadium and the people. Everyone was super nice and welcoming. This a wonderful tradition. I'm seriously in tears. Great job Iowa!

[sportsfanatic]

This video made me freaking cry my eyes out

[mbatz]

Proud to be a Hawkeye fan. My son goes to this hospital for care, thankfully for nothing life threatening but they have the best docs anywhere. We drive past the stadium everytime we go and hopefully someday soon we'll be able to make a game. My son would love to wave to the other kids!!

[zombiekiller]

God Bless the Hawkeye family-from a Wolverine fan

[garyw.]

MAJOR props and respect from an FSU fan. Go Hawkeyes!

[mynewlifebegins]

When I'm discouraged by the racism, bigotry, violence, and apathy going on now, videos like this serve to remind me how much love and light there still is in the world. Love and light will always beat the dark ❤🕊

[thebacons]

I recently learned that a young boy from our community passed away last year on the same day as the famous Iowa vs Ohio State game which the Hawkeyes won 55-24

The child passed away shortly after the end of the first quarter (which is when Hawk fans Wave up to the hospital)

One of his mother’s final experiences with him was holding him in her arms as Hawk fans waved up at them.

I can’t help but think from the way his mother told this story that the Wave meant a lot to her. I also can’t help but hope that the tremendous positivity emanating from across the street that day might have somehow added the tiniest ray of daylight to what must be one of that family’s darkest moments.

Prayers to everyone who has been touched by the children’s hospital. The people of Iowa stand by you

[carmel]

Even if you are a fan of the road team and made the trip to Iowa City, you can't help but to participate. The road team acknowledges this tradition and waves to the children at the hospital.

[krisdietzen]

Without a doubt, the best tradition in college football. God bless the kids and their families and the staff at the Stead Family Children's Hospital. And God bless the lady who came up with the idea back in 2017.