Purdue's support for Nebraska football broadcaster shows rivalry ends on the field

Since joining the Big Ten, the Nebraska football team has had a bit of a burgeoning rivalry with the Purdue Boilermakers. It’s not as though the two programs have any hate for one another. They didn’t really know each other before they were in the same conference.

However, both being in the now defunct Big Ten West, they played each other regularly. They traded punches every year since 2013. They’re tied in the series 6-6, with just one of those games coming before the start of the 21st century.

And yet, when Nebraska football traveled to West Lafayette, Indiana this week in preparation for the game, they found out that the Boilermakers understand this rivalry is about wanting to win on the field and not carrying that animosity on when the final whistle sounds.

Beloved Husker play-by-play man Greg Sharpe has been battling cancer since at least earlier this year. And while he’s mostly been able to keep doing his job like nothing is wrong, he did recently have to miss the Illinois game in order to receive treatment.

Nebraska football broadcaster gets support from Purdue

Sharpe is back this week and will presumably be on the call when NU takes on Purdue. In preparation for the game, he went up to the press box in West Lafayette and found a small token of appreciation and a note of support from the opposing school.

The Purdue athletic department left a Hammer Down Cancer hat, as well as a letter reading:

“Dear Greg, from all of us with Purdue Football and Purdue Athletics, we are glad to welcome you back to the booth and Ross-Ade Stadium today. A battle like this transcends conference rivalries and clashes on the gridiron. We want you to know that all of our Boilermaker family and fans are 100 percent behind you in your fight.

If there is anything we can provide to assist you today, and along your journey, please let us know.”

While some might see it as a small gesture of kindness, it shows that the Nebraska football rivalry with the teams is about winning and losing games and that the Big Ten conference, when not facing off against one another, is a community.