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“Nate’s got one of the greatest smiles of anybody,” McCollum said by telephone after another hospital visit Monday. “He’s just a great character guy. … It’s a blessing, because he’s got another day, and he’s got a chance to make a difference in people’s lives by fighting through this. And he is a fighter.”

Myers said Irving’s playing status for the 2009 season has not yet been determined. McCollum said he doesn’t even want to think about that yet.

“The biggest thing is that he’s alive and the good Lord has given him another day,” McCollum said. “And I think that’s the biggest thing we all take from it. I think it’s something as a team that we learn from. And you hope they grow up from it. Because you never know who it’s going to be or when it’s going to be.”

“I’m just thankful he’s alive,” McCollum said. “He’s such a strong individual. When you see the pictures [of the wreck], for him to be sitting up in that hospital bed today, it’s amazing. It’s really amazing.”

There is no reason to open comments in this entry since we still havethis conversation open and thriving.

You cannot help but love this coaching staff, can you?