Bear Down Wildcats

How do you begin to tell a story about a young man who had to give up his dream of playing professional baseball when his pitching arm gave out, survived two brutal years of training to become an Air Force Special Operations pararescue jumper, served in Afghanistan for three months, and, then, at the age of 26, made the Arizona football team as a linebacker/special teams player after failing his first tryout months earlier?

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UA special teams coach Charlie Ragle said Sweet might have played a bigger role on special teams this year had he not torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee while training in June. Still, Ragle said, Sweet’s teammates have gravitated to him.

“He’s a young man kids want to be around,” Ragle said. “They want to spend time with him outside football. They look at him kind of like a big brother. He gives them guidance and wisdom, but he’s also young enough to relate to them. That speaks to his leadership characteristics.”