 His legacy |
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Letter to B.J. from Tiffin University Coach Barr
Dearest B.J.,
Where to begin. The thoughts and feelings of so many, ranging from hope to sadness…anger to remorse, attempted to be put into words. A task that seems so difficult only because of all that you have given us. The simple fact is there are no words that would do you justice. But with a B.J. type effort, let us try.
Coach Smith brought you to us from Glen Este. A product of the Nati, the place you were always sure to remind us produced the best high school football players in the land. You can rest easy knowing that your Nati counterparts are more than willing to carry forth your argument from here on out and want you to know that they will never leave a fellow Cincinattian behind. Your memory will always travel with Coach Smith from here on out as he recruits there. Without question, your efforts and accomplishments here at TU have inspired him and all of us to give an opportunity to any young man with the potential and drive that you have. You knew that some people doubted that you could make it here yet you managed to show them and the rest of us what it means to be a scholarship student-athlete.
Your days leading up to your time here with us were building blocks for what you became as a person, and your love, passion and desire while with us made you into the man that you have become. We couldn’t be prouder than to have you as a representative of what our team strives to achieve. A strong opinion of the Dragon team and the Tiffin University student will be formed up there by everyone seeing and experiencing all of the good that you have to offer. Inspire all of them as you have inspired all of us. Make them laugh as we have laughed. Make them cry as we have cried. Show all of them what it is that made us long to be near you.
In most circumstances it is easy to gain the unconditional love of a parent or a sibling. That being understood your family demonstrated a level of unconditional love that could be matched by no one. Their love for you stemmed far beyond you just being a member of the Passarge family. The effect you had on them goes well beyond you just being a grandson, a son or a brother. You have impacted each of their lives on a far deeper level. You gave each of them a reason to smile, a reason to love, and now a reason to hope. A reason to hope that each of us are here for a far greater purpose than we can imagine. As a team, we thank you for bringing your family into each of our lives and showing us the strength, honor and dignity that the Passarge name possesses.
It is that unconditional love that I mentioned that shined so strong this past week. It is the relationships that you were not handed but rather worked for and earned that further proved the type of person you are to all of us. The lasting effect you had on your teammates and coaches was proven by the extent to which they were willing to go for you in your time of need. It made no difference the time of day or the mental fatigue that weakened all of us. Each of us pushed forward for you Not just because of all the loving and tremendous characteristics that you posses, but because we know in a second that you would do the same for us. Watching you fight, watching you work and watching you reach for each breath will prove to be inspiration to us from now until the end of time. Know that your teammates need that strength that you so proudly demonstrated now more than ever. We will all turn to you in times of need and we ask that you lead the way as you so often have. Through each hot, never ending day of camp, through each of our 11 contests and beyond, and through each of the journeys that we travel down as a team and as individuals, be our strength. While Rocket personnel, our locker room and our weight room will never look the same, know that each rep of each set, each assignment to each play and each heartbeat that we take will be made and taken with you along side of us. Be our guiding light and brighten each dark path that we travel down.
An unconditional loving relationship could not be better defined than in your relationship with Erin. Her love for you runs deeper than we could ever imagine love going. She truly would walk to the edge of the earth for you. The loving qualities the two of you have instilled in each other shined ever so bright in this past week. Her world glistened with each sparkle of hope you provided. And her remaining days will continue to shine knowing that you are happy and safe and that the two of you will one day walk together again side by side. We know your love for her will never fade nor hers for you. As you both long to see each other again take comfort in the fact that your unconditional love for each other will one day bring you together again.
We are rest assured that this letter from us to you finds you in the safest and purest place imaginable under the guiding hands of the Lord and Savior. In a time of such great sorrow it is easy for us to question why He would take such an intrical part of our football family, our college community and quite simply such an important member of our day to day lives at such a promising time. But once we put our selfish questions and desires aside, it is easy to recognize that you are being called upon to bestow your loving qualities in a land far more prominent upon needs far greater. It was us as coaches that called upon you to make the big block to spring a big run or to make the big catch to keep a drive alive. It was us as teammates and friends that called upon you to enjoy the days of college, to enjoy the chase of a Reds season, or to give the “Who Dey” chant at even the oddest of times. It was your family that called upon you share in the love of the entire Passarge family and asked for your strength in times of challenge and need. And it was your girlfriend Erin who called upon you to walk along side of her and enjoy a life spent together. But you are being called upon now by a grander source to do even greater deeds. Conquer his requests like you have conquered each of ours and show everyone up there why all of us down here miss you so much.
As we prepare to say goodbye, understand that it is never goodbye, always see you later. We told you that first night that each breath you took from here on out we would be taking with you. Understand that still rings true. Understand there isn’t a hand we wouldn’t be willing to hold, a tear we wouldn’t be willing to catch or a hug we wouldn’t be willing to receive even though you are so far away. As you walk hand in hand – stride for stride with our Lord, your Grand mom and all your loved ones in Heaven, recognize that we are holding your hand and taking each stride along with you. We know that you will one day welcome us through the gates of your new home and we will walk hand in hand – stride for stride together as a team again.
See you later B.J. We love and miss you. GOD BLESS
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