As Sean Hooey prepared to make his first career start last Friday night at Louisville, he was understandably nervous for several reasons. The 240 pound high school tight end is now an offensive tackle, and after spending most of summer camp at left tackle, he would be getting his first collegiate start on the opposite side. In addition, the true sophomore would be facing a Cardinal defense that led the Big East in sacks, and he would be replacing an All-Big East caliber performer in Alex Hoffman. Finally, the game would be shown on national television for any and all mistakes to be seen and even replayed.

While many twenty-year-olds would get introspective and possibly overwhelmed by the impending pressure, Hooey’s thoughts were elsewhere. They were with a man that had raised his father and had helped raise him. A man that had been facing a much more formidable foe than Rodney Gnat, the Big East sacks leader. This man has been fighting cancer since 2007 and goes by the name of “Papa.”

Thermond Hooey is Sean’s seventy-seven-year-old grandfather, and the two have always been extremely close. When big No. 77 learned he would be drawing a start against Louisville, he immediately called Papa, and the two old buddies revived an earlier discussion.

After doing some extra work immediately following Tuesday’s practice, a panting Hooey talked about his grandfather.

“A week before camp started, I spent a lot of time with him,” said Hooey. “One of the signals we talked about was my grabbing the ‘v’ around the neck of my jersey during pre-snap as I was lining up. That was going to be our signal that I was playing for him. He caught it a few times, and it was really special that I got to start and do that.”

A subtle jersey tug by an offensive lineman would go completely unnoticed by most, but it got the undivided attention of a man sitting in the Cleveland Clinic.

“We’re very, very close. He’s more than a grandson to me,” said the elder Hooey. “But they didn’t have the camera on him as much as I wanted.”

In addition to being family, these two share something else. Before going into the Air Force in 1951, Thermond Hooey at 6 feet tall played primarily offensive tackle in Newton, New Jersey, and he knows the demands are great and the recognition small for the big uglies that toil up front.

“The offensive line isn’t the glory of the football team, but they are the backbone,” he said.

The two kindred spirits bonded even more when Sean was in high school. The 6-foot-9, 300 pound behemoth recalled those younger days.

“He lived literally across the street from my high school so I’d go over there and have lunch. It was really nice.”

Thermond Hooey also fondly remembers their time together but partly for a different reason.

“Sean has a big appetite, and I used to cook for him,” laughed Thermond. “He’d come across the street, and we’d have roast beef and steaks for lunch. He had a good appetite then and still does. I didn’t think Sean would ever get as big as he is now, but he’s as nice as he is big.”

Anal cancer came into Thermond Hooey’s life in 2007. He’s gone through major surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. He’s seen several specialists and has been in and out of multiple hospitals but so far has been unable to rid himself of the terrible disease. Despite getting the best of care, this veteran’s best therapy may have occurred last Friday night when he saw his grandson playing the game they both love.

“I love the game, and he made me very, very proud. I figure he’s a part of me. I love him so much.” Thermond’s voice trailed off as he regained his composure.

Like his grandfather, Sean Hooey is also a fighter. As a high school senior, Hooey suffered a compound fracture of his left leg. The injury was so serious there was concern he might never play football again. His grandfather recalled the injury and the goal he immediately set for his grandson.

“I thought that would be the end of his career. Really, I did. I don’t care if he goes on to play in the NFL, but I want him to get his education. I tell him no one can ever take that away from him.”

At this particular moment, no one is taking anything away from Sean Hooey. He had only one missed assignment last Friday night when he helped to shutout the Big East sack leaders. With a big smile on his face, the conscientious kid from Michigan explained part of his motivation.

“It was our first conference game and for the Keg of Nails. I didn’t want to let the seniors down. I didn’t want to let Kelce down. I didn’t want to let Hoff (Alex Hoffman) down. I took it upon myself to really step it up.”

Although Hooey was playing the game for his grandfather, there were others reaching out to support him. Prior to kickoff, Jason Kelce and Indianapolis Colt offensive lineman, Jeff Linkenbach, texted messages of encouragement to the budding star.

“What really helped me was I got a text from Jason (Kelce) in the hotel and one from Jeff Linkenbach with some words of advice. That really helped out a lot to calm me down.”

At the time of this writing, it was unclear whether Hooey would make an encore performance against South Florida this Friday, but his biggest fan hopes he’ll see a lot more tugs on the “v” of jersey No. 77 in the next few years.

“I haven’t given up yet,” said Thermond Hooey. “I’ve been to the University of Michigan and Indiana University and just got home from the Cleveland Clinic, and they’re not giving me too much encouragement. They’re just trying to prolong my life, but my goal is to at least see Sean graduate.”

As his time inevitably draws nearer, Thermond Hooey wants that big kid with the even bigger heart to just remember who he was, and no memory could top one of the times this family of avid hunters went looking for game.

“I’ll tell you a story,” said Thermond. “Sean loves to bow hunt, and I had a couple injuries and couldn’t pull the bow back. They still wanted to get me out and were able to get me a cross-bow permit. I ended up killing a deer which was more luck than anything, but I think it also shocked Sean. He came over gutted that deer for me and pulled it out. He’s the best kid ever.”

When asked if there was anything else he wanted to say about Sean, Thermond chose to use the past tense. “We were more than grandfather and grandson.”

And that fact will never change.