College football’s coolest new tradition was born last year at Kinnick Stadium at the University of Iowa.
Kids and parents and nurses and doctors from Stead Family Children’s Hospital, which overlooks the football field, can approach the windows and look down on the Hawkeyes each Saturday. During the first quarter of every home game, the Iowa fans turn toward the hospital and wave back.
And during the NFL draft Friday night, players from Iowa have kept up the tradition, waving at TV cameras — and into the hearts of patients at the children’s hospital — before greeting football commissioner Roger Goodell on stage.
“Giving the wave to the kids is part of our tradition at Iowa,” said cornerback Josh Jackson, who was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the second round. “And if I’m able to do that, they’ll be ecstatic, and I’ll be happy just to do that for them.”
Patients and staff from the hospital recorded special messages to send back to the Hawkeyes’ newest pros. This one is for James Daniels, an offensive lineman selected by the Chicago Bears in the second round.
Here is Daniels waving right back to the kids.
The Kinnick Wave is one of college football’s best traditions — even in the offseason.
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