There's a time for sports and there's a time for life.
Those dimensions often mix, but can't ever fully blend together. That was a lesson learned over the past two days for Chaz Schilens and Mike Kravetz, as well as approximately 50 other San Diego State student-athletes.
During a period of chaos and confusion, one that seemingly escalated by the minute as homes were vacated, families were displaced and schools and business were shut down, Schilens and Kravetz did what any other person would do.
They helped out.
They helped the victims of the fire that engulfed the San Diego area and saw more than 500,000 people evacuated. They helped not because they were SDSU football players who are frequently recognized around the city, but because they're human beings.
Both went to Qualcomm Stadium, a designated evacuation center, to help out the thousands of people who were there looking for a place to receive food, medical treatments and shelter.
"It was a really easy choice for me," said Kravetz, a senior offensive lineman. "I like going into the community and I felt like it was just something that I could do to help. A bunch of (athletes) helped set up food, bring in water and drinks and just help people however we could."
Their presence wasn't only marked by the physical labor they provided, however. Schilens, Kravetz and the rest of the Aztec student-athletes walked around the stadium donning SDSU apparel, helping lighten the mood of an environment steeped in despair.
The people in the stadium were, for the most part, worrying about lost homes, possessions and the safety of their friends and family, but the presence of Aztec student-athletes surely supplied a distraction.
"A few people just wanted to talk about past games," said Schilens, a senior wide receiver. "They were asking about last (Saturday's game) and saying we should've won it and all that stuff. It seemed like they were happy to just get to talk about football.
"It was probably a way to get away for some people, and that's definitely something we can help (provide)."
Schilens, Kravetz and other student-athletes aren't necessarily public figures, but their presence on teams that are followed throughout San Diego puts them on a stage upon which most SDSU students never step. For better or for worse.
Their wins and losses are scrutinized by more than 20,000 fans per week, but the criticism pointed their way comes with an abundance of privilege. Books, housing, food and clothing are almost always complimentary.
So it's a situation like this, when the community is in need of support, in any form, that they're able to give back.
"I feel like it's really important to show the people that we're involved," Kravetz said. "I don't feel like I'm obligated to help as an athlete, but as a person, you just feel like you should help if you can."
Added Schilens: "We've been blessed to go to school here and most of us are on scholarship. So while other people's houses are being evacuated, you just think, 'hey, we can do something about this.'
"You can't just sit around."
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