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Homecoming captain Bob Sanders shares powerful message with Hawkeyes

Paul Harvey

By Paul Harvey

Published:

Bob Sanders had a remarkable career at Iowa, and he returned to Iowa City to serve as the honorary team captain for Saturday’s homecoming game.

The Hawkeyes enter this weekend’s game against Purdue desperate for a win. Back-to-back tough losses have dropped Iowa to 4-2 on the season and a No. 23 ranking in the AP Poll after an impressive 4-0 start.

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Serving as the honorary captain, Sanders addressed the team with a pre-game message on Friday. He recounted a powerful story from his time with the Hawkeyes, encouraging the team to give their all for one another.

“He said if you decide to go, when you get on the field, give it everything you have,” recalled Sanders of the message Phil Parker gave him during the 2003 Orange Bowl. “If you can’t make it off the field, I will go out there myself and I will carry you off.”

“That moment changed me forever,” Sanders said. “I always played 100 percent every time I was on the field. When coach Parker said he would carry me off himself, that made me realize it was more than football. He cared about me — he knew what I was capable of, but he loved me enough that if I couldn’t make it off the field, he would come out there himself and carry me off.”

“You have to love it so much you are willing to give up your body for your brother,” Sanders said.

You can watch Sanders’ address below, courtesy of Hawkeye Football:

Sanders finished his Iowa career with 348 tackles, 30 pass breakups, and seven interceptions. He played eight NFL seasons, capturing one Super Bowl and being named an All-Pro twice.

Saturday’s homecoming kickoff is set for 12 pm EST on ESPN2.

Paul Harvey

Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.