When word circulated across the Texas A&M campus Thursday that 11 students were killed and dozens more injured in the collapse of logs stacked for the traditional bonfire before the Texas game, Aggies football players rushed to help.

	Members of the Texas A&M football team help remove logs from the site of the collapsed bonfire stack Thursday.

"We wanted to assist in any way possible," offensive lineman Semisi Heimuli said. "Several players got together and came out to the site and told the people we could move logs and help in any way possible."

Shocked by the wave of grief that swept over College Station, A&M coach R.C. Slocum canceled practice, concerned more about the tragedy than the Nov. 26 game against rival No. 6 Texas.

"The importance of a football game pales in comparison," Slocum said. "Our only concern right now is for those students, their families and friends. All in our Aggie family are in a state of shock."

The players did what they could to help the rescuers, who toiled late into the night trying to clear the jumbled stack of logs that a day earlier stood 40 feet tall.

"Some of the logs were very, very heavy. I'm proud of the rest of the players for coming out and helping. It's a very sad day in Aggieland," Heimuli said.

"Our students are outstanding and have supported us through thick and thin. They've always been there for us. I'm a senior and I've seen some great times and some not so great. But without fail our students have stood ready to help our football team. It was the least we could do."

In Austin, Texas coach Mack Brown declined to discuss the upcoming game, saying it would be inappropriate.

"If the game was Friday, I don't know that anybody could play," Brown said. "For me to think about losing a child is very difficult.

"I think the tragedy and the kids and families are much bigger than the tradition (of the game)," he said. "I don't think it's appropriate today to talk about anything other than those kids."

"We said a quick prayer for all the families," quarterback Major Applewhite said. "It shows you how insignificant a football game really is compared to a precious human life."

Some Texas players and staff will organize a campus blood drive to help the victims, the school said.

Thursday's accident is likely to spark calls for the bonfire to be abolished. Dallas Cowboys rookie linebacker Dat Nguyen, Texas A&M's career-leading tackler and last season's Lombardi Award winner, said the tradition is riveting.

"You would drive by and see those guys out there working all night long, putting the time and effort into it. It's unbelievable," Nguyen said. "The tradition is so big at that school. People don't really understand.

Dallas Cowboys special teams coach Joe Avezzano, an assistant coach at A&M from 1985-88, said it's too early to make such a decision.

"It is a sad day, but in terms of history and tradition, I'm sure very trustworthy people will make the right decision," he said.