I know that this has nothing to do with the University of Alabama, but it does involve a fellow SEC school, and is just too nice a story to pass up.

The Texas Rangers used their 33rd round Draft Pick to select junior outfielder Jonathan Taylor, who was paralyzed from the waist down after a March 6th onfield collision with a teammate.

"We thought selecting Johnathan was the right thing to do," Rangers director of amateur scouting Kip Fagg said. "We would have drafted him either way, regardless of any other circumstances involving his injury or Zach's draft status. Our area scout in Georgia, Ryan Coe, has had a relationship with Johnathan since he was a high school player. The club has always liked his passion and ability as a player."

An honor roll student his first two seasons, Taylor had a .312 career batting average over 117 games for Georgia and may have had a future on the diamond.

The doctors say that Taylor's spine wasn't severed, and there is apparently a realistic possibility that Taylor will walk again.

According to the article, it is not uncommon for baseball teams to use late-round picks to make symbolic gestures, but this was a damn fine one.  I admittedly don't know much about baseball, and I don't think I meet the definition of the word "fan" for any team.  If the Braves are playing, I want them to win, so I call myself an Atlanta "well-wisher."  However, after this gesture right here, I just might go out and buy myself some Rangers gear.

Well done, gentlemen.

You can find the full article here:  http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Nice-pick-Rangers-select-paralyzed-Georgia-play?urn=mlb-wp8932.