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December 21, 2008 The Holidays are a time for reflection and gratitude, and during this season, it is time spent with your family(s); Your immediate family and your team-sport family that serves to inspire. It was 6-years ago…Derrick De Young, Luis Juarez, and Brent Pantaleo... Three young, strong High School Football players separated by geography but inextricably linked by personal challenges and difficulty they faced that season, and the evidence that they are all valued and loved by their families. Not just their immediate families, but their football families as well. Respectively, the trio was from Grand Rapids, Orange, California, and Novi, Michigan. Derrick's team won the State Championship, Luis' teammates advanced to the California State CIF semi-finals, and Brent's team made it all the way to the quarterfinals. The great Heywoud Hale-Broun once said, "Sports may not build character, but they sure reveal it." Sports have a way of unifying people through sacrifice, competition and the pursuit of common goals. Sometimes they unite people and teams through setback. Pantaleo battled cancer with all the ferocity and intensity of a crack back block and his spirit is a thing to behold. His Novi teammates fought bravely, winning their first District title since 1988, while continuing to support their fallen brother. Juarez' mother was tragically murdered outside a convenience store, just 2 blocks from school on Oct. 22, 2002. His fellow Vanguards to a man, attended the funeral in support. And, in spite of multiple injuries and other setbacks, rallied and won several games in a row, advancing all the way to the State Semi-finals. Perhaps the most intriguing story was that of Derrick De Young. He was sadly killed in a car accident after Round 3 of the MHSAA playoffs that year. He wore #42 for Grand Rapids South Christian HS. His fellow Lakers vowed to win it all in his honor... In the Semi-finals and Finals played at the Silverdome, they not only made good on their promise, but amazingly they scored 42 points in both games! Vince Lombardi said there was a lot of violence on the gridiron, but there was also a lot of love. That's why he truly believed no one could really beat his Green Bay Packers. Simply put, "these guys loved each other." The Holiday season is upon us, and we find ourselves more deeply connected with family. A football or basketball team, or any team for that matter, is a lot like a family. You eat together, spend time together, travel together, and you navigate the ups and downs of a long season... together. Thanks to all of these young men for showing us the meaning of family. The Holidays are nice, but in the heat of battle, no matter what season it is... 'Tis the season for family, on the field, and off. (c) 2008 Novi
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