VIDEO: Eagles dedicate opening contest to Kathleen Graham

"The thing about Miss Kathleen," Sparks said. "She's a fighter. But we're both letting the Lord handle things for us. We're both just trying to live our lives in ways that honor the Lord. We're kindred spirits in that and that's why I think we're both such big encouragements to each other." 

Graham has never smoked a day in her life, but is battling lung cancer. She, as well as Sparks, both receive treatments at the Tennessee Cancer Center. 

"The very first time I saw Miss Graham, was my first chemo treatment," Sparks said. "She had a blanket and had three or four different things dripping into her. She didn't look very good at all.  I started a conversation with her and found out her name. 

"I got more acquainted with her each time she went back.  She was fighting the battle hard on the cancer treatment. She prayed with me and I found out she is a prayer warrior.  It's how she fights, and how she uses her faith. That's why we wanted to play this game for her."

Graham, who has never been married and calls herself an "unclaimed blessing," also acts as the caretaker for her 99-year-old mother.  

"I saw him on TV before I started my treatments," Graham said. "They said that he had cancer and that he was fighting. "When I started treatments, I asked God and Jesus to come with me. I asked God to hold my left hand and Jesus to hold my right."

Graham isn't certain if she will be in attendance for the opening night game, but has made arrangements with relatives to watch through the Eagle Sports Network if she can't be there.  Sparks has invited the entire staff of the Tennessee Cancer Center to attend the game as well. 

"She lifts me up," Sparks said. "Each time I talk about her, I believe she lifts our football team up."

Carson-Newman will open its season Sept. 3 against the University of the Cumberlands playing for Kathleen Graham at 7 p.m. Coverage of the game will be available on the Eagle Sports Network on Joy 620 (WRJZ-AM, Knoxville), Mountain Country 106.3 (WPFT-FM, Sevierville) and online at cneagles.com/live.