‘I Just Kept Believing’
September 16, 2025 | Football, Joel Coleman
Seth Davis’ resilience led to a moment he and his teammates will never forget.
STARKVILLE – Seth Davis gave himself one day to be sad.
Almost two years ago now, during the 2023 Egg Bowl, the Mississippi State running back was in agony on the field at Davis Wade Stadium. He'd just suffered a left knee injury and he knew it'd be awhile before he'd have the chance to play football again.
"The very first day after it happened, I was like, 'Dang'' Davis recalled. "But after that, I just kept working and working. I was coming back."
Driven by his faith, his determination and the support around him, Davis has done just that.
Last Saturday when MSU hosted Alcorn State, Davis returned to the gridiron for the first time since getting hurt and responded by delivering a 23-yard touchdown run that put a giant exclamation point on State's 63-0 win.
A huge celebration ensued. It wasn't about six points. Instead, it was all about pride for a young man that earned everyone's respect with how he stared adversity in the face and didn't flinch.
"[Davis' score was the] coolest part of the night and it's not even remotely close," Bulldogs head coach Jeff Lebby said. "What that kid has been through on this football team [is remarkable] and I think our guys understand it.
"Having the opportunity to reward him and get him a couple of carries….Man it was special. All you had to do was just look at our sideline and how they responded. That's what that dude means to all of us."
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Before Davis even left the end zone after crossing the goal line on Saturday, he was pointing to the sky. If you want to know what gave Davis the fuel to fight through his pain all these months, it starts right there.
"God, he was a huge part of my moment," Davis said. "Because there were some times I was like, 'Man, I don't know if it's possible for me to be able to play again, but I just kept believing in God. I knew God had a plan for me. It kept me working and rehabbing.
"Then once I scored, I was so happy. That's why I pointed up. Because I was like, 'This was all God. It wasn't me really. It was God helping me through this whole battle."
It's said that God works in mysterious ways, and it was certainly the case on this day. When Davis showed up to the stadium last Saturday, he didn't expect to play. He was mainly planning to do what he's always done – be a tremendous teammate.
"I was just going to go out there and support them and cheer them on," Davis said.
Being a good teammate is just something that's ingrained inside of Davis dating back to his prep days.
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Rewind back to Katy, Texas.
That's where Davis was a standout back for head coach Gary Joseph at Katy High School. But Davis learned about a lot more than simply how to achieve personal success down in Katy.
"Coach Joseph, he always taught us it's all about the team and not really about yourself," Davis said. "You've got to put the team first. That's what's ultimately going to help you the most.
"So, this whole time I've been out, I've just been like, 'You know what? I can't contribute on the field, so I'm going to just always be there for my teammates and try to be with them in the film room, studying what they're studying, then cheering them on as they get to play."
Davis' efforts were noticed by everyone, as was apparent by how the Bulldogs put on their own little party after Davis' score last Saturday.
"I've never been around a young man that was a better teammate than Seth Davis," Lebby said. "It's exactly what the game of football is all about. It's why it's the greatest team sport in the world, because of guys like Seth."
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Davis' entrance into last Saturday's affair came innocently enough. At halftime, Davis said running backs coach Anthony Tucker came up and advised that Davis be ready to go in the second half.
"I was like, 'Oh yeah. If I go in, I have to score,'" Davis said.
First though, upon entering, Davis watched a teammate punch it in.
"I was in and then [quarterback Luke Kromenhoek] did his read and pulled [the ball]," Davis said. "He scored and I was like, 'OK.'"
Even if Davis' day had ended there, it could have been considered a success. He'd made it back to live action in a game that counted.
Oh, but his day didn't end there.
With a little under four minutes to go, Davis took a handoff from signal caller Kamario Taylor. Davis then delivered the rush he'll remember forever.
"I took the ball and cut back up the field because I saw a defensive lineman coming in," Davis explained. "Then I saw green grass and just took off. I jumped over the goal line and got in the end zone and it was just crazy. I had so much excitement. My teammates came and congratulated me. It was just an awesome, awesome moment."
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It was a highlight Davis took with him, quite literally.
After the game, in the MSU locker room, Lebby presented Davis with the game ball. It was the icing on the cake of Davis' comeback story.
"Really the whole day was just unexpected," Davis said. "I didn't expect anything that happened. Then when Coach Lebby called me up and gave me the ball and I had my teammates cheering me on, I was just so excited. It was an honor to get that ball."
There's no special place for the ball just yet. Well actually, there kind of is. It often just rests in Davis' hands.
"It's in my room and I'll just play with it," Davis said with a huge smile. "I'll just toss it around and everything. But yeah, I'll always hold on to that one."
And who knows. Maybe given time, he can even add to his collection.
"I'm not done yet," Davis said. "I'm still working. I'm doing all I can to try to get back out there on the field and keep improving to try and help this team win."
