Iowa's Brett Greenwood listens to a question following practice at Corona del Sol High School in Tempe, Arizona on Wednesday, December 22, 2010. (Cliff Jette/Sourcemedia Group News)

Late two weeks ago, I decided to have an auction on the blog here for former Hawkeye safety Brett Greenwood.

On the Friday before the Iowa State game last year, the former Hawkeye’s heart stopped beating while he worked out at his old high school, Pleasant Valley, in preparation for a run at the NFL. Brett’s heart is fine now, but his brain went a long period of time without oxygen.

Brett remains in rehab. His family. father Dave and mother Michele, started the Brett Greenwood Foundation (follow this link) to raise funds for this lengthy journey.

Brett’s recovery is ongoing.

Thus, this auction.

As I said, totally seat-of-the-pants operation, but I totally knew it’d work. I had some nice items sketched out in my head for three days. Basically, it was stuff I had in the basement, picked up from 16 years of covering Iowa football. I thought it would do better in mancaves that really wanted them.

The last two days? I knew something would come up. And it did. You’re Iowans. You always come through.

Thursday, the Under Armour sweat suit donated by John Reglein at The Graphic Edge in Carroll went for $500. Take heart, Iowa fans. Mike, the gentleman who won the auction, does a lot of business in Columbus, Ohio. He plans to wear the suit in the Woody Hayes Center. If his ringtone is “In Heaven There Is No Beer,” we might be reading about that in the news.

Friday, Sean Thompson came through big time. He donated a canvas print and signed jersey of this. Rob Houghtlin, the kick, the jersey, the ’85 game. A virtual whirlwind of Hawkeye lore. Sean has donated a lot of his works for the Greenwood Foundation and has worked with former Hawkeye safety Tyler Sash on a print that you can find here at Thompson Graphics.

When I decided to do this, I took a shot and asked my boss if The Gazette would match. Remember, I had no idea if it would take off and thought maybe some fortification would be good.

The Gazette agreed to match up to $1,000. This took my breathe away a little bit. It was on. They were going to write that check.

With that $1,000, our final total was $3,280. Not all the money has been collected and not all the booty has been delivered, but we’re getting there.

Excellent work, Hawkeyes fans!

We’re not finished.

Let’s say 1,500 people read this post. Let’s say all 1,500 go to the Greewood Foundation website and donate let’s say $10. Just think how much good that can do.

I’ll leave you with this statement on the Greenwood Foundation website. Let’s do everything we can. You’re Iowans, you always come through.

Thanks again to everyone who donated and participated!

“As a Hawkeye football player, Brett was awarded the Ben Trickey Memorial Scholarship, the Jack and Ailene Liechty Football Scholarship, and the Wallace Geiger Scholarship. Toward the end of his senior season, Brett expressed his interest in giving back to future Hawkeye student-athletes in the form of an endowed scholarship in his name. In Brett’s honor, a portion of the Brett Greenwood Foundation will be put toward a named athletic scholarship. Plans are in the very early stages, so look for more details as Brett gives us the go-ahead.

Brett is making positive progress every day, but the road is long and uncertain. We remain positive and continue to pray for the best. Brett touched many people in his life — fans, friends and family — and the Brett Greenwood Foundation is our way to demonstrate the faith we have in Brett and to continue to help him along the way.”