John Williams was a star offensive tackle for the 1967 Minnesota Golden Gophers team that tied for the Big Ten title at 8-2. He was later drafted by the Baltimore Colts and played for 12 seasons in the NFL, including as a starter on the 1970 Baltimore team that won Super Bowl V.

Steve Nestor was a trainer for that 1967 team, and is a businessman who still lives in the Minneapolis area. John Williams became a dentist, also remaining in the area after his NFL career and working on the North side of the city. About five years ago, the men reconnected at a Gopher football reunion. A few years ago, Williams learned that he had kidney disease and would need a transplant.

Many family members have volunteered, but Steve Nestor turned out to be a perfect match and was happy to donate a kidney to Williams (you can watch video of the news story on KSTP.com). “You can say it’s a divine thing, I think we meet people for whatever reason, but there’s something to learn, or something to give, or something to take,” said Williams.

[photo via US Presswire, h/t: @paulrovnak]