We Are Marshall

Related Stories

• Al Davis - Man in Black and Silver
• Back To The Future For The Bills & Levy
• NCAA Hoops, Dirk Nowitzki, Tommy Lasorda, Gary Mathews, Jr. and USC Football
• Calling Gale Sayers
• It's a Wonderful Life...Finally!

When Carter's mother became hysterical about her son leaving to make that Marshall road trip, he decided to stay in Texas a little longer and missed the game. The offensive tackle went on to have an outstanding senior season, then turned down an opportunity to sign with the Dallas Cowboys and dedicated his life to the ministry. Carter is now an evangelist in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

In 2003, when Ruffin, a Huntington businessman, passed away from cancer, Carter delivered his eulogy. Ruffin's last request was to be buried at Huntington's Spring Hill cemetery next to the six plane crash victims whose remains couldn't be positively identified.

Walsh, who has penned numerous stories for the Huntington paper about the tragedy, still marvels at how far Marshall has come since that awful day.

"I remember covering a Marshall game in 1987 against Northeast Louisiana when they first played for the national title in Idaho," said Walsh. "I'm thinking, 'It wasn't that long ago nobody was sure they'd even have a program.' It's incredible that you go from a hillside plane crash to winning national championships and having three Heisman Trophy candidates."

The movie We Are Marshall will bring national exposure to not only a long forgotten tragedy, but also the best sports comeback of all time.