In September, espnWs weekly essay series will focus on college football.On April 27, 2011, I was a freshman at the University of Alabama when a tornado ripped through the heart of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, killing 43 people and injuring many.I remember running to 15th Street early the next morning to try to help, and the buildings were completely demolished. Krispy Kreme was gone. McDonalds was nowhere to be found. All of the rows of apartments near a local hospital were left like a war zone.When news spread of the terrible tragedy in Tuscaloosa, there was an urgency to help those who were without power, food, water, clothes or homes. Even though the University of Alabama campus was forced to end the 2011 school year early, I still decided to live in my dorm without electricity, and many students and athletes stayed on campus to help with the cleanup.I will always remember what Alabama coach Nick Saban told his players after the storm: We cant just be a team for them on Saturdays. The fans are with us in the best times, and we have to be with them in the worst of times.Besides coach Sabans players stepping up, colleges from cities in California, Oklahoma and many other states sent students to Tuscaloosa to help rebuild.In spite of our fierce in-state rivalry with Auburn University, Auburn students were among the first to arrive in Tuscaloosa. That day, the 364 days of state competition didnt matter -- saving lives did.A group of students from the University of Tennessee came down to help too. We worked on a house, toured the campus, shared stories of the tornado and ate together.Although most of them were dressed in orange-and-white T-shirts and Vols hats, and I was wearing my white Alabama tee, clothes that would normally label and separate us were unimportant. We were all serving the same community and became a family.Four years later, we witnessed this type of support during South Carolinas tragic flooding. Louisiana State University Tigers running back Leonard Fournette donated his jersey and helmet, which sold for over $100,000 in an auction that supported South Carolinas flood relief efforts.When the LSU-South Carolina game couldnt be played in Columbia, South Carolina, because of the flooding, the Tigers graciously hosted the game and gave all of the proceeds from the game tickets to the Gamecocks. They even had their own band play the South Carolina fight song.Now, we see colleges return the favor as Baton Rouge, Louisiana, experiences the worst national disaster since Hurricane Sandy in 2012.Even though heated rivals compete against each other on Saturdays, and the days leading up to games are filled with smack talk, those teams still come together to support each other.Thats what is so amazing about the college football world. When coaches, players and fans put aside the statistics, titles and rivalries and come together to love and serve one another in a time of need, thats beautiful. In moments like these, its proof that its more than just a game.So when the final whistle blows, the clock ticks down to zero, and a team is crowned the national champion at the end of this upcoming season, just remember that its not always what you see on the field that should make you proud of your team -- its about the actions performed off the field that are worth far more and will be remembered much longer than a title.Hannah Stephens works for ESPN Radio 97.7 The Zone in Huntsville, Alabama. She hosts her new show on Saturday morning called, Thats What She Said With Hannah Stephens. She graduated from the University of Alabama in May 2014 with a degree in sports broadcasting. Cheap Nike Air Max 1 . -- Claudio Bieler hadnt scored since early September, and not from the run of play since mid-July. Nike Air Max 1 .ca look back at each of the Top 10 stories of 2013. Today, we look back at Boston Strong - a citys recovery from tragedy. https://www.cheapairmax1store.com/ .C. -- Chris Thorburn thinks one of the reasons the Winnipeg Jets have been successful under new coach Paul Maurice is that theyre playing together as a team. Discount Nike Air Max 1 . Brandon Morrow allowed five runs on six hits over three innings. He struck out two, walked one and hit a batter. Edwin Encarnacion had a two-out, bases loaded two-RBI double in the third inning. Nike Air Max 1 Store . Bryant, who signed a five-year, $34 million contract as a free agent with Cleveland in March, reported symptoms on Monday morning, a team spokesman said.PHILADELPHIA -- Brad Lidge, who was perfect as a closer during Philadelphias 2008 World Series championship season, formally retired as a member of the Phillies on Thursday. Lidge hasnt pitched in the majors since last June with the Washington Nationals. He spent four years with Philadelphia from 2008-11, saving 100 games in that span. "That game and that post-season will forever stand out for me," Lidge said about striking out Taampa Bays Eric Hinske in the World Series clincher.dddddddddddd"That memory is still really vivid for me." Lidge was 41 for 41 in the regular season and 7 for 7 in the post-season when the Phillies won the second World Series title in franchise history. The 36-year-old righty was a two-time All-Star during 11 seasons with Houston, Philadelphia and Washington. He had 225 career saves and 18 more in the post-season. ' ' '