Our meeting was pure happenstance.

While attending the Slippery Rock University spring football game in late April, a former SRU player tapped me on the back.

“You probably don't remember me,” the ex-gridder said. “I was nobody special.

“Just wanted to say hello.”

The former player was Jaimire Dutrieulle.

His words were humble, even at that time. Short in stature, he came up huge time and time again as a clutch slot receiver for SRU. He was a key player on a Rock team that reached the NCAA Division II quarterfinals.

Indeed, Jaimire Dutrieulle was special as a football player.

He is even more special as a human being.

His teammates and coaches at The Rock already knew that.

Everybody else learned how special Dutrieulle was recently when he threw his body on top of his 9-year niece in North Braddock, shielding her from bullets being fired.

He risked his own life to save his niece's, suffered three bullet wounds and now faces a lengthy road to recovery.

None of us can honestly say what decision we would make if ever thrown into the suddenly volatile and life threatening situation that Dutrieulle found himself in.

With no warning at all, the man had to make a split-second decision: Take cover and save himself or put another person's life — family member or not — above his own.

He never hesitated.

That speaks volumes for the human being.

Many of us may swear we'd have done the same thing. I pray none of us ever have to prove it.

Dutrieulle's actions aren't all that far removed from those of another former Rock football player — Brian Shaw — who gave his life as a police officer. His very line of work was about protecting fellow citizens.

Sadly, Shaw is gone. Dutrieulle lives on, hopefully for a very long time.

I used to joke with Dutrieulle when he was playing at SRU. Whenever he had a good game — which was most of the time — I told him his first and last name slowed down my writing because of the tricky spellings.

It was fun knowing him then — and entertaining watching his skill set on the football field.

It feels proud to have known him now — for obvious reasons.

Jaimire Dutrieulle will forever be a hero.

Shaw gave his life in the line of duty. Dutrieulle was willing to give his so his niece could keep hers.

There is so much to feel good about on both counts.

With all the problems, egos and selfishness in society today, there are some great people out there as well.

Two of the greatest played football at Slippery Rock.

Be proud.

John Enrietto is sports editor of the Butler Eagle