That being said, today I saw the best show of sportmanship that I have ever seen in high school sports. I was brought to tears. I'm still in awe.
At the beginning of each game, each team usually runs through a poster. The cheer squad usually puts it together.
As the hometown team was announced, our boys ran through their Hypnotize Heidelberg poster onto the field. As soon as their entry was made, attention was focused on the opponent.
Their poster said, In Memory of #66, recognizing our Ramstein student who died this last week. Rather than run through the poster, the boys each walked around the end of the poster to the field.
What an amazing show of sportsmanship. They've definitely earned our respect. The fact alone that they acknowledged the tragedy our boys have dealt with this week was beyond impressive.
In the end, it was Ramstein 15, Heidelberg 7. Our boys won the game. Heidelberg won our respect.
They did have the memorial this week for Brendon. The boys dressed up {ties} Wednesday for the memorial rather than Thursday- their normal dress-up day before each game. The memorial was held on the football field. The team captains, Justin included, escorted the parents and family to their seats.
They had reps from each arena of Brendon's life speak- a JROTC member, a football player/friend, his work manager. His girlfriend and parents both spoke as well.
He didn't die upon impact as we had assumed. Instead, two young German boys from their village were with him after the accident {I think his car hit a tree} and held his hand as he died.
Brendon's dad brought the boys up to the front and thanked them from the bottom of his heart. They were able to tell him Brendon's last words. He asked if his car was ok. He asked if his mom and dad were on their way. They were able to say yes and be with him as he died. I can't even imagine.
There was a calm, but also a sadness of a life lost way too early. I can't imagine. Again, I hope never to know.
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