It’s the holidays and in a lot of houses that means lots of football on TV! Here’s an inspirational story that may bring a smile to your face even if your team hasn’t scored a touchdown in three quarters.

In 2008, Mark Herzlich, a football player for Boston College, was named the ACC defensive player of the year. In early 2009 he was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma, a malignant tumor most often found in bone or soft tissue in the leg.

Facing a rare and deadly form of cancer, Mark didn’t throw in the towel. Heck, he didn’t even slow down. Since his diagnosis, more than $167,000 has been raised or donated to various cancer-related causes in Mark’s name. He’s brought together the entire ACC football conference and again this year attended the title game, not as a player, but as an ambassador of hope.

After a very aggressive treatment that included radiation, surgery and chemotherapy, he is now cancer free and plans to return to the football field in 2010.