It's fitting to say thanks to linebacker Quan Sturdivant one day after North Carolina's biggest win of this football season.
With a spontaneous display of sportsmanship, Sturdivant became an example of what's good in college athletics after the Tar Heels' 20-17 defeat of Virginia Tech.
Redshirt freshman running back Ryan Williams was sitting on the Virginia Tech bench in absolute despair over his late fumble, which allowed North Carolina's Casey Barth to kick the winning field goal on the final play.
Sturdivant's teammates were dancing and celebrating the win, as they should. But ESPN's cameras captured Sturdivant away from his team.
Williams has been perhaps the best running back in the ACC this season, and he's having one of the best seasons a Hokie back has ever had. But on Thursday night, he'd made a mistake that dashed whatever hopes the Hokies have of going to a BCS bowl.
Sturdivant came over to console Williams. He got him up off the bench, patted him on the leg, leaned over and said what we can only assume were words of encouragement in Williams' ear.
It was a gracious act when an opponent was at his lowest point. And it might have been the best thing that's happened on an ACC football field this season.
