MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- Like every Miami Hurricanes newcomer, Carter Hucks went through rites of passage before being made available to the media prior to Saturday's game against the Cincinnati Bearcats.
Since joining the team as an honorary member on Wednesday, Hucks has done everything from tackling junior cornerback Tracy Howard to sitting in on meetings at the Schwartz Center for Athletic Excellence.
"Being a Hurricane is fun," Hucks said.
Hucks, an 8-year-old from Charleston, S.C., has Fanconi Anemia, a rare disorder that leads to cancer and bone marrow failure in most patients. Because of his condition, he couldn't play football this season and awaits a bone-marrow procedure.
Through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Hucks got to meet his favorite team and player -- Duke Johnson -- "because he runs fast." His father, Derrick, became a UM fan watching Sean Taylor.
"I think it's been awesome because it's always been a dream of Carter's, and the university did a great job of actually experiencing the whole of what it's like to be a Hurricane," his mother, Jessie, said. "He got wrapped up, he got to practice, he got to see the weight room, he got to lift weights. It's been so great for him to really experience what it's like to be a Hurricane all the way up to gameday. We're so appreciate of everything they've done for us."
Sporting his orange No. 8 jersey with shoulder pads while holding his helmet, Hucks answered questions about his favorite part of the experience ("practicing with the players") and why this was the coolest thing he's done ("because it's fun").
Hucks led the team onto the field through the smoke tunnel with Sebastian the Ibis and stood alongside captains Dallas Crawford, Jon Feliciano, Clive Walford and Olsen Pierre for the coin toss.
After Miami's 55-34 victory, Johnson gave Hucks the game ball -- something he promised if he scored a touchdown. Not only did he find the end zone on an 80-yard run in the first quarter but he also set the program's all-purpose yards mark (4,427) on the play.
"He's just a kid with a lot of energy and just wants to live life to the fullest right now," said senior wideout Phillip Dorsett, who caught two touchdowns on Saturday. "It's a blessing for us to be in a situation for him to be in the situation to come in and have his wish come true. Him coming in like I said I think we needed it and he uplifted us and helped us attack this game the way we did."
Added head coach Al Golden: "It humbles you, it brings you back to reality if you start to feel sorry for yourself, start to get down, start to doubt yourself. I thought he would leave an indelible mark on our team during the week, and he did. It uplifted us. I'm really proud he and his family could join us."
The family intends on staying in touch with the Hurricanes, who have welcomed it into the UM family. Jessie said the players treated Carter like a little brother.
"We'll probably go through email, probably texting," Derrick said. "The normal channels you'd use to communicate. A lot of the coaches have been very forward in asking us to stay in contact with them about the upcoming procedure. We definitely plan on holding up our end of the bargain."
Even a banner flying over the stadium calling for the firing of Golden didn't damper their spirits.
If anything, it reminded the Hucks the importance of battling and resiliency. Miami entered Saturday's contest 3-3 and fifth in the Atlantic Coast Conference's Coastal Division.
"One thing Carter has definitely taught both of us through this whole year that we've been dealing with this stuff is to not let things knock you down," Jessie said. "When you see him out there on the field playing nothing can get him down, nothing can lower that spirit. We'd definitely like to tell the players that don't let any of the struggles that they're going through dim their spirit or who they are as a Hurricane."
Added Derrick: "You have the cliche, 'Don't take anything for granted.' The team's slogan this year has been 'Renewed.' The process that Carter has to go through with the bone marrow transplant ... he's going to be renewed. I would just hope they would find what it would take for them to be renewed whatever that may be (as) a student, football player, a Miami Hurricane football player. Whatever the case may be. They look at him and see that child-like spirit and they remember why they started playing the game and just go out there and have fun and do what they've got to do."
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
