Sometimes it seems like the only big news that ever comes out of the sports world is negative. In the past year alone, baseball has seen one of its most-heralded players get busted using a corked bat; basketball’s “golden boy” has been brought up on rape charges; and football has actually lost a player (Dwayne Goodrich) due to a homicide conviction.

Every now and then, however, an inspirational story emerges out of the realm of athletics that reminds us what sports are really all about.

Jim Abbott, who was born without a right hand, reminded us when he threw a no-hitter against the Indians Sept. 3, 1993.

Cyclist Lance Armstrong reminded us July 26,1999 — just three years after doctors gave him a 50-50 chance to live — by winning the first of his five consecutive Tour de France titles.

And although many people are unaware of the date’s importance, the most recent such reminder occurred Sept. 18, 2003.

That’s when Neil Parry, a member of San Jose State’s punt-return unit, played 30 of the most historic seconds in college football history.

With 13:45 left to play in the Spartans’ matchup with Nevada, the crowd began to chant, “Parry! Parry!” as he sprinted onto the field.

Parry never even laid a block on the play and the Spartans only gained two yards on the return, but the fifth-year senior trotted off the field to a standing ovation.

Perhaps no one has ever deserved a prolonged applause more, though.

That’s because Parry is believed to be the first non-kicker to ever suit up on an NCAA football team with a prosthetic limb.

“I looked down and said, ‘My God, he’s really out there,'” Parry’s mother, Linda Decker said following the game. “It’s amazing how proud a parent can be.”

When considering what Parry has been through over the past three years, however, Decker’s level of pride becomes less amazing, and more understandable.

Parry severely broke his right leg while playing on kickoff coverage during a game at UTEP Oct. 14, 2000. Unfortunately, serious, life-threatening infections developed in the leg, and doctors were forced to amputate it nine days later.

Contrary to what the physicians kept telling him, shortly after losing his leg Parry vowed to play football again.

Over the course of the last three years, he has had 25 operations, 15 prosthetic legs and has experienced an untold amount of physical therapy.

The acronym N.G.U., which was inscribed on the athletic tape around Parry’s wrists during his comeback game, pretty much sums up his story — regardless of how unlikely the odds appeared, Parry “never gave up.”

“Setbacks make great opportunities for comebacks, which is what this young man did here,” San Jose State coach Fitz Hill said. “We’ll take his example as a role model for this football team. Hopefully he’ll get in there a lot more this year.”

Although the Spartans haven’t played a game since their Sept. 18 loss to the Wolf Pack, Parry’s story continues to be a topic of interest.

Since his comeback, he has received a phone call from former president Bill Clinton, talked to both Jerry Rice and Jeff Garcia and Tuesday afternoon he found himself standing on the mound at Pacific Bell Park throwing out the ceremonial first pitch in the Giants/Marlins game.

Despite all the attention he has received, however, Parry couldn’t help but feel butterflies in his stomach as he stood in front of yet another sell-out crowd.

“I got real nervous when the fans started cheering,” said Parry after following the Giants’ 2-0 victory. “I really didn’t want to bounce it to the catcher.”

Had he bounced it to the catcher, something tells me that the crowd would have shown him no less appreciation.

Although not a member of Tuesday’s crowd, perhaps Parry’s greatest fan is his brother, Josh Parry.

Josh was a team captain and star-linebacker for the Spartans when his walk-on younger brother was injured three years ago, and he actually made the Philadelphia Eagles’ practice squad over the summer.

“I love the game (of football),” said Josh Parry following his brother’s comeback game. “But I just don’t know if I have what he has.”

San Jose State is scheduled to play the Rice Owls tomorrow, and Neil Parry’s role might grow to include the kickoff team, the team he was on before he broke his leg.

Regardless of whether or not his role on the team expands, his inspirational story reminds us that not all athletes are out there for the money, attention or accolades.

Instead, Parry reminds us that sports are about much more.