Allison Brown received the phone call on Wednesday that every football parent fears.
Her son, Noah, had suffered a serious leg injury in practice. He suffered a broken fibula and tibia in a noncontact injury when he planted his foot awkwardly after reaching for a pass, she said.
Allison was in New Jersey, suddenly filled with worry for her son and feeling alone. She wouldn't be for long.
The Ohio State football program's parents association - some of them dub themselves the “Buckeye mommies” - kicked into gear. President Annie Apple, the mother of cornerback Eli Apple, called to comfort Brown and inform her that she could be reimbursed for a flight and other expenses through Ohio State's student-assistance fund.