Zemaric Holt: Arkansas Tech Played The First Play With 10 Players To Pay Tribute To Fallen Teammate — What Happened Next Was Priceless [Video]


Zemaric Holt came to Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, Arkansas in 2012. It was his dream to play college football. What else would draw a young man from Quincy, Florida to a rural city that sits along Interstate 40 almost halfway between Little Rock and the Oklahoma border?

Tragically, Zemaric lost his life in a swimming accident just north of Russellville in July. Channel 7 News spoke with members of the Arkansas Tech Wonder Boy staff about Zemaric. Wonder Boys Coach Raymond Monica talked about what Holt meant to him as well as other members of the team.

“Zemaric was always a happy go lucky guy. Always told jokes. Had everybody excited. I mean, just a great person and always had a smile on his face.”

Athletic Director Steve Mullins who helped recruit Holt spoke of the defensive lineman’s work ethic.

“First thing would be his personality. He was a very bright, outgoing person. Going back to his playing, he was an all-out player. He was the guy who hustled every snap.”

On September 3, the Arkansas tech Wonder Boys traveled to Bethany, Oklahoma to kickoff the 2015 college football season. The opponents for Arkansas Tech that night would be the Southern Nazarene Thunder Cats. The Thunder Cats would receive the opening kickoff, which meant that Arkansas Tech’s defense would take the field for the first time without their defensive lineman Zemaric Holt.

There is a tradition among teams who lose a player to play the first play with just 10 of the 11 players. The open spot of course is meant for their fallen teammate that could not be with them. The Arkansas Tech defense took the field with just 10 players that night, and the result can’t help but put a smile on any fan’s face.

Southern Nazarene called what looked to be a double reverse pass. However, as the second exchange failed, the ball was left careening toward the endzone. When the dust settled, the Arkansas Tech defense had scored the first touchdown of the season with just 10 players on the field.

Arkansas Tech went on to defeat Southern Nazarene 62-14. However, no score that night was sweeter than the first score. The Wonder Boys will play their first home game Saturday, September 12, against Oklahoma Baptist.

What do you think of the 10 player tribute that Arkansas Tech gave to Zemaric Holt? Could there be any better end to such a tragic loss that you could possibly think of?

[Photo by Arkansas Tech University]

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