PHOTO: Michigan QB displays what true sportsmanship really means

Published Nov. 29, 2014 3:30 p.m. ET

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Teddy Mitrosilis

Rivalries are what make sports great, although they can often have an ugly side when competitiveness and pride become unhinged.

But on Saturday, we saw the very best of one rivalry during an unfortunate moment.

In the Michigan-Ohio State game, Buckeyes QB J.T. Barrett suffered a right leg injury and was carted off the field with his leg in an air cast.

It was an awful injury for a great young player, and even rival Michigan QB Devin Gardner could feel his pain.

So he walked over to Barrett on the ground and offered his support, producing this incredible image:

After the game, Gardner had this to say: "You hate to see any player get hurt but especially a guy like that, a great guy. J.T. is a high-character guy, a hard worker who waited for his shot and was doing so well with it. I was sick for him ... It's like having a little brother out there get hurt. I didn't want to see that at all."

If you've ever wondered what "sportsmanship" really means, that example from Gardner is perfect.

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