Be sure to reach the end of this article to see the full video!

Just because two people compete with each other on the field doesn’t mean they can’t support each other the rest of the time.

Football players. They’re tough, athletic and empathetic. One of those adjectives isn’t what most people associate with the stereotype of a football player.

But these two football players show that the stereotype really isn’t true.

Ty Jordan and Gage Smith look like your typical high school footballers. And while they competed against one another, they also joined together in support after their game.

Ty competes on the West Mesquite High School Football team. And in recent months, this sport has become an important place for him to vent his emotions.

Ty’s mother has been battling two types of cancer. Within one month, she discovered that she had advanced lung cancer and bone cancer.

Like any cancer diagnosis, it sent shockwaves through the mother’s family. Suddenly, everyone needed to give their all to Ty’s mom so that she could fight her disease.

Shortly after finding out about his mom’s cancer diagnosis, Ty told his team.

They have been with him every step of the way. Like any good teammates, they have done whatever they can for Ty to have the time and support he and his mom need.

But what Ty wasn’t expecting was the support of his rivals.

Ty had posted about his mom’s journey on social media, so when a rival team from Sherman High School came to play, the quarterback of this team discovered what Ty was going through. Gage Smith, the quarterback, had known Ty in elementary school. And while Smith would play with all his strength on the field, he wanted to make Ty know that he was there for him off of it.

Ty and Gage’s teams played against each other.

It was a good match, but the highlight was what happened afterward.

With the match done, Gage came up to Ty and shook his hand. Then he offered to pray on the field with him. He wanted to send a prayer with Ty for his mother. Ty didn’t want to admit it, but this gesture meant a lot to him.

So the two knelt down on the ground and prayed for Ty’s mother.

It was a heartwarming moment, and everyone present could see that Ty was appreciative of the gesture.

Ty’s aunt, Takka, was there at that moment and took a few photos of the two rivals praying together. She posted the photos to Twitter with a description of what was happening. The post would affect many people on the site.

Gage’s coach, JD Martinez, later praised his quarterback for reaching out to someone on the other team and offering support.

The coach has always taught that while football is a competitive sport, the people on the other team deserve respect.

No matter what happens in the future, Ty knows that he has the entire community there to help out his family through their struggle.

Even non-religious people can appreciate Gage and Ty’s joint prayer. The act was as much a symbol of support as a religious act. And everyone, no matter their beliefs, needs that kind of gesture at some point.

When you see moments like this, you have to understand why sports are an important part of people’s lives.

Not only has football been a form of therapy for Ty, but he has also found support from unlikely places thanks to the sport.

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

Source: KXII