This past Saturday was a momentous one for college football. Not a surprise, really, this weekend every year brings rivals together on the gridiron in bowls and stadiums across the nation. Notre Dame and Southern Cal. Kansas and Kansas State. Ohio State and Michigan. And, of course, Alabama and Auburn.

This year’s matchup of the Tide and the Tigers also meant, naturally, Senior Day: a custom school squads revel in. Always touching, they honor players from the soon-to-be-graduating class with an on-field tribute before the opening kickoff of the game. Traditionally, the players’ names are announced while they’re joined with family members.

For Lawrence Erekosima, a seldom-used walk on running back, joyous anticipation beforehand ruled the day, eagerly awaiting the moment he’d see and embrace members of his immediate family on the field at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa. A moment he’d never forget.

He knew however, that one member of his fam — the one who brought him into this life — wouldn’t be there. But that was reality. A proud one, too. His mother, Jacqueline Page, is a United States Army soldier serving one year (in a 15 year career) in Kuwait. Deployed overseas.

At least, that’s what he thought before he headed out from the tunnel to the grass with thousands of fans looking on …

Never underestimate a mother’s love. Especially a mom who’s also a soldier.

Page was granted a “brief leave” to fly back and surprise her student-athlete son.

The Tide went on to win the game over their same-state rival, to the tune of 30-12. After the game Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban, a man famous for possessing a knack for not emoting at all, admits he almost did just that.

“For his mother to be able to come today almost made me cry,” Saban told reporters after the game. “He’s a fine young man, has been in the program for a long time. I have a special place in my heart for guys like him. All the star players, they get a big ovation and they get to play. They get accolades and they nominated for awards. A lot of those guys [guys like Erekosima] play their games Monday through Thursday, helping the rest of the players get ready for the game. Lawrence is one of those guys that has done a phenomenal job here.”

Lawrence also admitted later that he nearly started to weep, too.

Well, he did. But not really.

“I almost cried. I had to hold it in. One tear, like Denzel.”

Washington Post