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Post by sandstorm on May 11, 2010 13:30:01 GMT -6
I want to brag here a little bit, although it is truly dire times for me personally. My father went into a coma Friday and was rushed to the hospital. When I got there, he looked like he was not alive. However, he was...barely. He has a sleuth of issues wrong with him, and they brough the chaplain in to pray with us as we prepared to say our goodbye's. My Dad is a fighter, and he stayed alive somehow...someway. Sunday he came out of his coma, and was still very bad off. I was so torn because I know I needed to be there with my Dad and family, but I also feel such a strong loyalty to my players and we were starting Spring Ball that Monday. I felt so bad for not being able to be down there (My Dad lives 3 hours away from my work), and even worse for even being torn about it. I am their DC and I ask so much from them and I felt as if I was letting them down. I had talked myself into that if he was 5% better, I'd go down Wed-Sat. My HC, which is my best friend, told me he would fire me if I came down there and to stay with my Dad. Then late Sunday night, I had 43 text messages and 24 phone calls within a 2 hour span. It was my players calling to give me their prayers and support. They were so caring and mature about the situation and told me they loved me and not to worry they would work extra hard during Spring Ball. It was very touching, and I will admit I lost many tears. As I sat by my Dad's bedside, I decided to start reading him the text messages. One after another they were showing their support and prayers for my Dad and I. I looked up and tears were coming down his face, and he whispered one word to me...."Hope". It was the proudest that I have ever been about a group a kids.
My Dad is slowly improving, although he is still in the critical phase. However, he sat up in bed under his own strength last night and we talked until midnight. He told me that each word I read from my players gave him the energy to fight and not give up. It was a very special moment we shared, and it was all because of a group of kids that have unbelievable character took time away from their lives to actually care.
I appreciate you giving your time reading this, and it gives me great joy to brag on such great kids.
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Post by coachk13 on May 11, 2010 13:38:32 GMT -6
That's incredible. I almost teared up in class.
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Post by mariner42 on May 11, 2010 13:41:02 GMT -6
That's a wonderful story. You're doing something right, my friend.
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Post by IronmanFootball on May 11, 2010 13:56:46 GMT -6
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Post by airman on May 11, 2010 14:04:31 GMT -6
that is a very nice thing. however, as your head coach if you would have showed up to spring ball I would have had to arrested for trespassing. you are going to get a good 20 yrs of spring ball but you only get one dad.
I skipped a state championship game so I could be with my father as he passed away. we lost and of course fans blamed me but i figure I always have a chance to win another state championship.
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Post by coachguy83 on May 11, 2010 18:50:40 GMT -6
Coach this is a wonderful story. You have reached my number one goal as a coach and helped develope a group of good young men. You truly are blessed and I will keep you and your family in my thoughts.
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Post by NC1974 on May 11, 2010 21:24:10 GMT -6
Coach,
My thoughts are with your dad. And I would say you were a great example to your players. There are things that are more important than football.
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Post by mitch on May 11, 2010 21:29:53 GMT -6
Prayers for you dad.
I am at a loss for words. You must be feeling a tornado's worth of emotions, and I am happy and sad and hopeful for you, all at once.
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Post by coachvann on May 12, 2010 5:20:34 GMT -6
my prayers are with you and your dad...you have some amazing kids at your place!!
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Post by coachwoodall on May 12, 2010 5:50:12 GMT -6
AWE SOME.
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Post by gunrun on May 12, 2010 6:11:23 GMT -6
Brag on, coach. Thanks for sharing. Airman, thanks for sharing, too. It's a shame that putting family first over football has become the exception rather than the norm in our society today.
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Post by jgordon1 on May 12, 2010 6:24:31 GMT -6
Great story....I maintain that if you treat kids w/ respect ...95% of the kids will do the right thing 95% of the time..we tend to remember and focus on the bad
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Post by airraider on May 12, 2010 6:46:46 GMT -6
Not nearly as touching.. but one night a few of us coaches all went to eat after practice.. and this was a late night.. so we finished eating around 9pm or so..
I head already left and I got a call from one of my coaches that his battery had gone dead from leaving his lights on..
I sent out a group text to all of my players asking if anyone had jumper cables..
I received 7 messages from players saying they were on their way up there..
not.. If you need me I can go.. these kids were already on their way up there..
Kids if given the chance can sometimes suprise you.
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Post by Coach Bennett on May 12, 2010 6:59:41 GMT -6
sandstorm,
Great story indeed! Inspiring and everything we would hope for in imparting values and time to young men.
I think we all know we're getting older as soon as the words "kids today" leave our lips.
What gets lost in lamenting kids' negative attributes is the positives.
"Kids today" are certainly far more empathetic, tolerant and supportive, it seems, then when I was one and my coaches were heard saying "kids today."
Character takes many shapes.
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Post by casec11 on May 12, 2010 8:00:33 GMT -6
Sandstorm,
Thanks for sharing, and I wish your father and your family the best
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Post by rolltide52 on May 12, 2010 8:27:22 GMT -6
Prayers and best wishes.
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Post by ftbll7801 on May 12, 2010 10:00:44 GMT -6
Awesome coach and prayers sent to your father, you, and your team here from Oklahoma.
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Post by airmale on May 12, 2010 10:24:21 GMT -6
From sunny Florida, praying for you and your father. Thanx for sharing. Made my day.
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Post by Coach Goodnight on May 12, 2010 10:42:57 GMT -6
Prayers from Oklahoma to you and your family coach!
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newhc
Sophomore Member
Posts: 209
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Post by newhc on May 16, 2010 6:11:05 GMT -6
Thanks coach for sharing, and we will be praying for your father! Great to know that there is still "Hope" in the world!
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Post by formrbcbuc on May 16, 2010 16:08:40 GMT -6
Coach my prayers are with you and your family, the response by your players shows not only what kind of coach you are but the kind of man you are as well. I wish you, your father and the great young men you coach the best.
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rock85
Sophomore Member
Posts: 125
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Post by rock85 on May 16, 2010 19:14:38 GMT -6
Sandstorm --
Great story...it's a great tribute to you, your players, and your program!!! God bless your family, and here's hoping your dad can give a pregame speech this upcoming season!!!
This past season, my 8 yr old daughter, who has Down Syndrome and was born with a heart defect, had a problem with her pacemaker on a Thursday morning. My wife called me to the hospital, and neither of us knew what was wrong. I called my HC (I am the OC) and told him I felt bad I had to miss practice...well, I missed the game on Friday night, too, as they had to replace her pacemaker on Friday AM. Got to practice on Monday and the team presented my daughter a game ball, with the whole team having signed it.....a real nice gesture from a great group of kids...she slept with it for a week!!!!
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