Why is GameDay at Boston College? Mark Herzlich's cancer comeback story must be told

Since the destination came out last Sunday, the mystery of the week has clearly been "Why on earth is GameDay going to Boston College?" It can't be the game: The Eagles are two weeks removed from one of the worst offensive performances in recent memory in a loss at Clemson, and Florida State bit it hard last week against South Florida. Neither team is close to being ranked. E-mailers want to know. B.C. blogs went in search of an explanation.
Friday's GameDay promos on ESPN clarified the decision, and what the audience is in for during today's lineup: With no other really marquee games on tap, the show's going big on the Eagles' "Gold Rush" effort in honor of star linebacker Mark Herzlich, whose "very special story" -- the fight against bone cancer in his leg that cost the reigning ACC Defensive Player of the Year his senior season -- will apparently serve as the centerpiece of the broadcast; he's shown in commercials assuring an interviewer, "Yes sir, I am" when asked if he'll ever play again. Heartstrings, prepare to be pulled by anvils of sentiment.

GameDay does "very special" stories on pretty much a weekly basis, in the now-standard "Sports Century" format -- heavy strings and tinkling piano as the camera slowly pans over childhood photos, flashbulbs popping as the reporter's voice-over narration is closely followed by radio play-by-play of a critical on-field moment -- and as far as I know they've never used one as pretty much the exclusive basis for moving the production to a particular campus. At least this week is good timing, given the promising update Friday from the Herzlich camp:

Herzlich has three more treatments scheduled. He recently learned the good news from his doctor that the words "cancer-free" may not be far off.

"He’s not 100 percent sure, but feels good from his experience," he said. "The only reason he wasn’t 100 is because he hadn’t done a biopsy. My next stepping stone is to get the leg strong again, get back in shape and start playing basketball and doing that stuff to try and get my wind back and everything."

He looks forward to starting full workouts in December and plans to be on the field next fall.

Herzlich has another year of eligibility (since he played as a true freshman, this qualifies as his redshirt year) and plans to lead the team onto the field today. If he can lead them out again next year in full uniform, even sappy GameDay profiles won't be able to wear that story out. Looks like they're going to try, though. Source rivals.yahoo.com