Parallels to a Trailblazer: Isaiah Nwokobia and the long journey to the No. 23

SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee stood in front of the team meeting room to make an announcement that everyone was waiting for. Fall camp was winding down. It was time to reveal who the team had voted to wear the No. 23 jersey.

The tradition started in 2009 to honor Jerry LeVias, the first Black football player at SMU in 1966, and has stayed intact through the four head coaches who'd been there since. LeVias's No. 23 is bestowed to the player who most exemplifies the pioneer's leadership and the courage he displayed to overcome the adversity forced on him as the first Black man to earn a football scholarship in the Southwest Conference.