Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson immediately stopped what he was doing to pray over LSU linebacker Whit Weeks during the Texas Bowl on Tuesday. A powerful photo of the faith-forward college football moment serves as a great reminder to lead with .
It is an image worthy of a Pulitzer Prize, an award presented for outstanding public service and achievement in American journalism, letters, and music.
Weeks, a sophomore, was a breakout star for the Tigers during the 2024 college football season. He finished the year with 61 solo tackles, four pass deflections, two forced fumbles, three and a half sacks, and one interception. His 120 total tackles ranked inside the top-15 nationally.
Unfortunately, Weeks suffered a gruesome injury during the bowl game that required him to leave the field on a cart. Head coach Brian Kelly said his defensive star will undergo surgery on his dislocated ankle with hopes of returning for spring practice.
Weeks fell onto his back and writhed in pain as soon as his leg got twisted up under him. Sawyer Robertson was the first one to him. While other players called for the trainer, Baylor’s starting quarterback dropped to a knee, placed his hand over his fallen opponent, bowed his head and prayed.
Joaquin Torre captured the emotions of that moment with a late submission for photo of the year. He is a student in Waco! Take a look:
Prayers up for a speedy recovery, @LSUfootball 🙏 pic.twitter.com/1tFt7Ehn8z
— Baylor Football (@BUFootball) December 31, 2024
Wow. Regardless of your religious affiliation, that image will make you feel something.
Faith has played a big role in Robertson’s life since the day he was born.
I’ve been the stereotypical church baby. My grandfather was a preacher and growing up I was just always in a church. I feel like it was just something I did though, after getting to college my relationship really started to grow more because I was on my own for the first time in my life. I noticed I’ve been reading scripture more frequently and focusing on my quiet time in prayer and it has helped me adjust to college life.
— Sawyer Robertson
That belief in a higher power carries his college football career. He attends Baylor, a Baptist university, and finds himself through the Lord. No matter what happens on the field, his identity is in Christ.
At the end of the day, I’d be nothing without Jesus.
— Sawyer Robertson
Robertson did not hesitate when he saw Weeks in pain. Nothing else was important. Not even the ongoing drive. The end zone could wait while he stopped and prayed over his opponent. Pretty cool.