TOWSON, Md. – Diondre Wallace's steps were measured.
Rarely making eye contact with the fans lining his route from the locker room to the football field where 20 minutes earlier Towson University applied the final flourishes on a 44-27 nonconference victory over The Citadel last Saturday night, Wallace's pace was steady.
Everything else around the Towson senior linebacker disappeared.
Sergeant Major Wardell B. Turner
He was focused on his significant and impending delivery to Katherine Turner, the widow of the late Sergeant Major Wardell B. Turner, a former Towson football player who was killed in action on Nov. 24, 2014 in Kabul, Afghanistan.
"I wanted to do something special," said Wallace who was still fully dressed in his throwback gold jersey, shoulder pads, black pants, black headband and special gold shoes. The uniforms were a throwback to the mid-90s teams, which was ranked in the top-25 in 1993 and 1994. It's a near-replica of the jersey that Turner wore when he played.
After posing for a photo and sharing a hug with Turner, Wallace got down on one knee, meticulously untied his shoes – first the right and then the left -- removed them and presented them to her. Turner's eyes watered. While expressing her gratitude and sharing encouraging words with him, Wallace gazed at Turner in rapt silence.
"I just commend (Turner) for her strength," Wallace said. "It's hard to lose a loved one. It's amazing that she's still around supporting us. Having her around us is inspirational. She told me to stay away from bad things, never give up, to be a giver and not a taker.
"Those are words I am going to cherish. I always been one to give back to but to hear those words from her means there's wisdom and strength there. It means so much. Her strength is unbelievable and I am going to hold that with me for the rest of my life."
That emotional moment provided a beautiful reminder of the captivating beauty and power of sports.
Clutching the gold shoes underneath her arms, Turner was pleasantly stunned by Wallace's benevolence. The left shoe had the 50th Anniversary logo on it and the right one had Wardell Turner's name on it along with the inscription "Wardell Turner: July 26, 1966 - November 24, 2014."
"I literally could feel my husband's presence," Turner said. "I know he's looking down and is just proud. I can see my husband with tears in his eyes. I shared with (Diondre) that Wardell always liked to give back and pay it forward. That was his big thing. He's a fine young man and it meant a lot."
Diondre Wallace listening to Katherine Turner.
A criminal justice major and vice president of communications for Towson's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), Wallace had an impact in the Tigers second straight victory leading the team with 12 tackles.
Wallace was part of a group of Tiger players who enthusiastically went into the student section of the stands and led teammates in the singing of Towson's fight song, "Hail Towson!" Also, as he walked out of the locker room to meet Turner, Wallace gave his yellow game gloves he wore during the victory to a lucky kid standing along the wall.
Throughout an unforgettable weekend celebration, Wallace and his teammates were surrounded by the many greats of Towson's prideful past.
Over 500 former Tigers were in attendance during the game. They participated in numerous pre-game activities throughout the weekend that included a viewing of "The First 50" documentary, bull roast and numerous tailgates.
Wallace understands the responsibility and privilege, he and his teammates have of deepening the footsteps of those who came before them. It's one they don't take lightly. The current players cherish the sacred 50-year history of the Tiger program.
These are the shoes Wallace wore during the game
against The Citadel.
"There's been a lot of guys who paved the way for me to be here," Wallace said. "Without those guys, giving their sacrifices, hard sweat, blood and tears for us to be able to be on this field today and being here supporting us today, it just meant the most. We appreciate being able to give our own version of Towson football back to the alumni because they've paved the way and given so much."
Towson improved to 3-1 overall by scoring at least 36 points for the third time in four games this season. The nationally-ranked Tigers have two consecutive home games starting with 13th-ranked Stony Brook on Saturday. Kickoff is at 4 p.m.
"I'll just remember playing with my brothers because you never know this day in age, anything can happen," Wallace said. "I'll remember the smiling faces, cheering the fight song with our fans, walking in the locker room, praying, hugging and celebrating with them on the field. Being able to wear those shoes tonight meant the most. Moments like that are special. I appreciate them so much. I just thank God."
