Iowa Accepts Disney Spirit Award for "The Wave"

Your simple gesture, a wave, has meant the world to so many children & families. Authentic, caring, & powerful, it perfectly embodies the Hawkeye family spirit. Here’s to you Hawkeye Nation on receiving the Disney Sports Spirit Award. Video courtesy of @ESPN. #HawkeyeWave

[@letmein8080]

Ohio State fan here, this is the best tradition in collage sports, PERIOD.

[@dalek2020]

Thank you. You seem to "get it" that this kind of thing is more important than any sport. I am so happy that the opposing teams, the refs, everybody participates. Hell, I participate from home!

[@ryangilligan40]

I bleed Scarlett and Gray, and I love Script Ohio, Carmen Ohio, and chants of OH-! ( -IO), but I completely agree. It’s pure class.

[@shadytnu24]

Michigan fan here...and as much as I love the traditions of the sport - yes, even Script Ohio - this one is by far not only the best but the most important. It's bigger than sports. It's just amazing.

[@coleshilling5313]

We beat you # IOWA

[@dct1961]

It’s been 20 years since my new born son was taken to the Children’s Hospital at Iowa. My son had the best treatment available. Unfortunately, my son lost his battle. Every time I participate in the Wave or watch a video about the Wave, I get teary-eyed thinking about my son and the wonderful doctors and nurses who cared for him and us. The hospital is great but the people make it special. It’s a wonderful thing that the hospital and fans do for the kids and families. A great new tradition.

[@survivrs]

Something I'd like to repeat, almost EVERYONE in Kinnick Stadium waves to the kids and their families. When we played Ohio State last year, both teams had players and coaches, the refs were all lined up, everyone was looking up to the 12th floor waving to these kids, NOT JUST the Iowa fans, EVERYONE, 70,000+!!!! These are kids fighting for their lives. They aren't all from Iowa or fans of Iowa, but they are getting the best medical treatment possible, and I am so PROUD of our University, our hospitals and clinics, the Stead Family Children's Hospital, and our athletes who go out of their way to visit kids in the hospital when they have free time. Many people don't know that about our athletes, and it's not just the football players, many of our athletes from all sports, both womens and mens visit these kids and their families. That brief time when those families see all of those arms waving, all of the faces looking up to them as they look down lets them feel free from their illness for awhile. I've been to the 12th floor, and you can see EVERY single seat in Kinnick Stadium from there, and the things they do for the kids on game day is awesome. There are snacks, games, you name it, it's a time to allow sick kids not to feel so sick. I'm from Iowa and I'm very proud of this amazing facility and all who work there, and thankful to Krista Young for coming up with the idea of "The wave".

[@AceSRT]

You know when Kirk starts crying, it's time to cry as well.

[@seagull1167]

This is what being an Iowan is all about. It’s not about the football wins or losses. It’s thinking about the kids who have won, lost, or are battling their own wars. The wave symbolizes a ray of hope in the stormy clouds for those children, and will forever be the best tradition in college football history.

[@marshmallowmarmot6655]

But it is still about the wins.

[@georgekelly5338]

I moved to Iowa City from South Florida in my early 20s. I thought I would only be here long enough to get back on my feet. 23 years later, I am still here and I can't see my self leaving anytime soon. There's something about this state that leaves a warm, fuzzy feeling in your heart. And this story is what I'm talking about.

[@alexstephenson4845]

Couldn't be more proud of my state

[@zekest]

true

[@tracybeason5109]

I literally grew up at that hospital in the 80s when Chuck Long and Ronnie Harmon were Hawkeyes....how I became and will ALWAYS remain a HAWKEYE FAN!

[@Altenurgy]

That's the era of hawkeyes when I was growing up as well but I wasn't in the hospital. I hope you are living a great life now!!

[@nickthaquick7264]

This is why whenever i get asked the question of "if u could live anywhere in the country where would u live?" People always say California cuz it's warm and pretty or Florida or somewhere on the coast but scenery or temperature doesn't make a place great to live, what makes a place great to live are the people that you are surrounded by so that's why when i hear that question i always answer it the same way..... "I've visited a lot of places both in and out of the country and seen some pretty sites but I'd stay right here in Iowa for one reason, we have the best people." Its a state filled with love and caring people...thats why we're the "heartland." Iowa 4 life baby!!!

[@chadryan3344]

When ferentz started crying I couldn't help it I lost my shit... Such a amazing person and coach!! God bless you all and Go Hawkeyes!!

[@Skylicity]

Once a Hawk, always a Hawk. Best new tradition in football.

[@jtemple26]

Kirk Ferentz has a really good heart greatest coach of all time., Go Hawks

[@aaronglanville7991]

Kirk is a good coach but he hasn't passed Hayden yet.

[@survivrs]

@@aaronglanville7991 Yes he has! In September 2018 he passed Hayden with most wins.

[@captaincooool]

Hayden was a legend but Ferentz is the GOAT in Iowa City. I tailgated with Chuck Long the last time I was there and he pretty much agreed.

[@tracybeason5109]

Helen Hummel was my fourth grade teacher brought Ronnie Harmon and Michael Hooks to my small town elementary school...she was honored at Kinnick stadium both before and after she passed away because she was such a HAWKEYES fan...that was a day I'll never forget almost 40 years ago

[@itsjustme9119]

I'm from North Carolina and a UNC fan but when I first seen this I became a Iowa fan as well!!!

[@dalek2020]

Thank you. Come to Iowa City some time for a game. There will be hundreds of tailgate parties and you will be welcome at all of them. Then you get to do the wave!

[@pattiemac1]

I wish I was from Iowa. This is absolutely the best

[@hawkeyefan4ever163]

Lot of people never think of iowa or talk poorly about it but that doesn’t bother us Iowans. We love and are proud of our state. We also welcome anyone who wants to be an Iowan. Is this heaven? It’s iowa

[@vandalia722]

Kirk Ferentz is a light. God bless those kids. Proud to be a Hawkeye

[@survivrs]

I just want to bust through my screen and give Kirk a huge hug. Our 2nd granddaughter was a preemie and had several birth defects. She spent a few weeks in NICU in Tulsa and we had to work to come up with money to get there, but we did. She is closing in on her 2nd birthday and is doing so amazing. I am so thankful for this beautiful children's hospital. It is incredible. I've lost count of the number of times I have been in there, either at the Press Box or the ground floor cafeteria. Great place, great doctors and nurses. We are blessed to have this. Kirk and Mary's gift was so generous, and NOW, Carson King who is an ISU Alum. donated all but about $20 from $3,000,000 he raised after his sign was seen on Game Day in Ames when Iowa and Iowa State played, it all went to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital. I was so glad to donate as well.

[@David_Theisen]

Couldn't be any prouder of my Hawkeyes!!!

[@deuces_shoeless]

No matter what team you root for EVERYONE is a Iowa Fan after they play the first quarter.

[@richardmockmore2034]

I always keep those kids in my prayers

[@danwixom5950]

No matter what team you route for. This wave is for those AMAZING kids. Never been more proud for my team. Go Hawkeyes

[@iamrichrocker]

Gawd..these Kids..families..just want normal..just another day that they do not have to worry about life and death struggles..this is a great story about great people..

[@shadowchaser01]

I'm an Iowan transplanted to beautiful Colorado. I make sure everyone I see knows about the wave and remind them even the Rockies can't over shadow my beloved Hawkeyes. Well done, Folks, well done.

[@TheTerminalExpress]

Iowa City is my hometown and I live in Denver now.

[@shadowchaser01]

@@TheTerminalExpress I'm up in Longmont

[@iawsanjose5202]

Oh boy that is an amazing caring show of support. Three hanky moment. Wow. Thank you on behalf of my grandson a Lukemiua surviver from Strands Childrens Hospital in Gainsville, FL. We could'nt have done it without you.

[@elmerhorn3790]

I live in Tennessee and I think this us the best thing ever

[@jjkosullivan]

One of the greatest things I have ever seen in College football, and I have been watching since the mid-1970's. Makes me want to go to a game.

[@shanekeenaNYC]

Tears, pure tears!

[@anthonygibbons5497]

This is why I love Iowa

[@Hiei2k7]

I lived in CR from 2015-17, and grew up just over the Illinois side when I was young. I've known people who have been life-flighted to Iowa City. There was never a greater day than when I pulled up to Iowa City and watched the first wave happen after that building opened to be an Iowan. ...I think I'd like to retire in Iowa someday. Get a nice big farmhouse with some land and outbuildings. Snow don't bother me none. That's why they make Deeres in Davenport.

[@dale4231]

Hiei2k7 I live right by Cedar Rapids in Marion!

[@joepisani3261]

They are the heroes. Great job Hawkeyes, America waves with you.

[@hawkeyefan4ever163]

Go Hawks!

[@karencottle4852]

I still come back and watch this. Amazing. I love when sports goes bigger than life.

[@stevenrussell8369]

love being an Iowan for this!

[@real_lynnblades]

omg how could anybody thumb this down? I can't wait to go home to Iowa City just to do this. There's nothing like it. Indescribable, the energy. :) Love love love KF

[@jacia5161]

Proud to be a Hawkeye!

[@hawkeyeguy1723]

Go Hawks!! 😎

[@paulrosenberg707]

Amazing stuff! DAMN PROUD TO BE A HAWKEYE!!! GO HAWKS!!!

[@dougwestphal7003]

It’s about the kids, Thanks Coach!

[@survivrs]

I've watched this countless times, I cry every time, but this was the first time that I noticed when the award was announced and Kirk, Josh Jackson, and Kaden Kelso went up to accept the award, everyone was standing. That is pretty special. Nine days until our first game and I can't wait to wave from my living room and watch everyone at Kinnick wave as well. It didn't matter if it was fans from the other team, EVERYONE waved including players, coaches, and referees. We treat kids from any state, not just Iowa, but we are incredibly proud of our hospital and all who work there. Hey, we're Iowa, and it's what we do.

[@vickierickson4482]

kirk ferentz has become so much more to Iowa than just a coach.

[@brandonschleiter571]

Love Kirk he’s a class act glad he’s is a coach in the big ten!!!

[@bulletgg]

Proud to be a Iowan

[@rkbllc]

Class. Total class.

[@TheWriterNW]

Caden is such an amazing young man!

[@hihihi0963]

It's almost that time again. I hope the kids there now are looking forward to it.

[@TheTerminalExpress]

I have always been proud to be from Iowa City. It's my hometown and I loved growing up there. I was ridiculed mercilessly in the military for being from Iowa. But my pride never wavered. This moment is a good reason why.

[@faiththomas1749]

Hey Kaden and all y’all at the stead family children’s hospital keep strong from a college football fan in pac 12 country 🖐🏻

[@reeceoverstreet4538]

Go hawks! Proud to be an iowan!

[@kellydenham253]

Go Hawks

[@aaronblankenship6327]

I hope this gives these kids the hope to know that they are not alone and that we are praying and hoping for them to stay strong and keep fighting

[@rafaelrodriguez9912]

This is beautiful

[@ravefeild9995]

Go iowa

[@ronjones1995]

University of Iowa you’re awesome

[@lennoxalbert5305]

Go hawkeyes

[@noahmiller8771]

I have done that

[@traciemiller3032]

Kirk in this video just makes my heart hurt.

[@PO-PANDA]

👋

[@SgtJoeSmith]

3 Ohio state fans disliked video. Go Iowa!

[@mattalbrecht7471]

make it 5!

[@chrishartley7143]

Absolutely not. I am a diehard Buckeye and think this tradition is amazing and special

[@will_0079]

That hospital is the best worst place to watch a football game...

[@TrojanManXLT]

Onions....

[@byker8507]

right, someone cut some ...

[@Bongaboi151]

Eight dislikes. Stay classy, Columbus, you just won your bowl game.

[@michaelc.6532]

Jo-Ryan Salazar Don’t assume it’s a Iowa opponent who thumbs downed this story. Some people are just trolls and jerks. I’m a former Iowan and had season tickets at Iowa games in 1999. I’ve heard from a lot of Iowa opponents who think this is great even my friend from Columbus who loves this new tradition.

[@BLAB-it5un]

This is a great tradition and one of the best in college sports. But it reveals how hopelessly out of sync our priorities are. To think that a college football coach is so hopelessly overpaid that he can donate $1 million to a hospital is shameful. How many professors can do that? Or college presidents? And how much is spent on the football program compared to any other on the campus? Or even how does the cost of the football facilities compare to the cost of the hospital? Colleges should not be in the sports business to the degree that football defines and consumes a campus especially since college football is easily the most corrupt of all college sports. The academic integrity of higher education is stripped away when athletes that otherwise have no chance academically to get in or to graduate are not just admitted but now get to profit of off their "NIL" while allegedly getting a college education.

[@DJ-Gameday]

Stop disliking Ohio State fans.

[@edizzle01]

They are just upset from the beat down we handed them