Senior Offensive Linemen Blend Competition with Compassion

“Ladies and gentlemen, it’s Saturday night in Death Valley, and here come your Fighting Tigers of LSU!”

A welcoming that is tattooed in the minds of not only the thousands of fans who grace Tiger Stadium’s presence, but also the players who storm the field, soaking in the sights and sounds of Death Valley.

After the Tigers take the field, win or lose, there’s always next week; there’s always next season.

But for LSU’s offensive linemen Lyle Hitt and Ciron Black, there is no next season.

The two friends will run through the goal posts of the North end zone tonight for the last time to the sounds of screaming fans and the Golden Band from Tigerland blaring “Fight for LSU.”

“It’s been a long time coming. I never actually thought my last game would come,” said Black.

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The pair began their journey at LSU in 2005, when they were redshirted. They were roommates and became close friends.

Black began his tenure on offense with a bang. He started all 13 games as a redshirt freshman in 2006 and was involved in more snaps than any Tiger lineman that season.

Hitt, however, faced a setback that would result as a stepping stone to his future success as a Tiger.

The Baton Rouge native switched from defensive tackle to offensive guard midway through the 2006 season due to injuries on the LSU O-Line.

“The switch from defense to offense was a huge transition. With the talent that we have now on the defensive line, it’s hard to say where I would have fit,” said Hitt.

“At the time it was the best thing for me to switch. It got me on the field, and it was the best decision for me.”

Both agree that their most memorable game in Death Valley came on Oct. 6, 2007 when the top-ranked Tigers faced the No. 9 Florida Gators. The Tigers rallied to defeat the Gators in front of a then-record crowd of 92,910 in the final minute of the game.

“Nothing could top the game when we beat Florida our national championship season,” remembered Hitt.

Later that season, the duo continued to work together side-by-side and was instrumental in leading LSU to the BCS National Championship with a victory over Ohio State.

Football wasn’t the only thing on Black’s mind for that remarkable game against the Buckeyes. The Tyler, Texas, native was also thinking about Mikey Conger.

Mikey is a cancer survivor who has inspired Black on and off the field.

The young football fan has suffered from cancer since the day he was born, and his mother often comforts him with LSU songs and memorabilia.

The Tiger offensive tackle wears No. 70, the same number Mikey’s brother wore for his sixth-grade football team. A friend of the Conger family contacted Black and told him about Mikey and his illness. Without wasting any time, Black read Mikey’s online journal that his mother so diligently updated, and Black left a message of inspiration and encouragement.

Touched by his message, Mikey’s mother, Laurina, contacted Black and thanked him for his message.  Soon after, Black and Mikey met and formed a special relationship.

Black asked permission from the Congers to write “Mikey” on his wrist bands as a shout-out for the BCS National Championship game. Appreciatively, the Congers gave their blessing.

A fan learned of the new friendship and donated a 42” inch flat screen TV so Mikey could see his name and know that Black was playing for him.

The Tigers won that January night in 2008 with Mikey on their mind.

“He’s a great kid,” Black said. “He makes you stop and think about the bigger things in life and not worry about the small things you can’t really control like the stresses of college. He makes me think about the benefits of life and how you shouldn’t take things for granted.

“Not everyone is guaranteed the perfect life. He’s a prime example. Things happened to him at a young age, things he couldn’t control. He just took it and ran with it. He’s embraced it and hasn’t allowed it to bring him down. I look to him for inspiration.”

Hitt, a three-time member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll, also finds inspiration away from the field. In the summer of 2009, he traveled to the Dominican Republic with his two younger brothers on a medical mission trip.

Hitt worked side-by-side with doctors in little villages across the country, treating hundreds of patients who were suffering and did not have the income or insurance to afford treatments. Hitt worked hands-on, from taking patients’ blood pressure to treating staph infections.

“That trip was very inspiring in ways that I can’t explain. The main thing I learned from my trip was to never take anything for granted,” Hitt said humbly.

“I learned that it is so important to always do your best with the opportunities that are presented to you.”

Hitt left the Dominican Republic with great medical knowledge in his pocket and a life-changing experience in his heart.

After five seasons of service to the world and to their teammates and a series of triumphs and heartbreaks, Black and Hitt find themselves just four quarters away from ending their era in Tiger Stadium.

“LSU has been a character builder in every way.  My experience as a student-athlete has taught me to prioritize and really develop as a person and competitor,” Hitt said.

“It’s been something I’ll never forget. It’s really indescribable. Not many people get the chance to do what I’ve been able to do here,” said Black.

“Just to get the chance to walk on that field through those goal posts looking at all of our fans and listening to our band is really indescribable. Millions of people don’t get that opportunity and know what it feels like it. I get chills every time I walk on that field.”

And each other? They’ll never forget each other, either.

“I enjoy playing with Ciron. We always pick on each other. Our friendship started when we were roommates our freshman year,” Hitt said smiling.  “It’s been fun playing with him for five years, and I wish him the best of luck in the future.”

“I wouldn’t rather have anyone else by my side. On the field, Lyle doesn’t take anything from anybody, but off the field, he’s a great guy,” said Black.  “He’s a really good, spiritual guy to be around.” 

Don’t worry, boys. When the lights of Tiger Stadium go down for the last time this season, your contributions will always be remembered by the LSU faithful.