Kept secret by those who organized the event, (Booster Club Officers Lisa Cantor and Rich Owens, PHHS VP Jim Good and Pricipal Pat Crowder)the student body and the coaching staff were asked to attend the event. We knew it was something for Darren and the Make a Wish Foundation, but there were now other details.
I showed up in my police uniform thinking I would be on campus for a little bit and I could get back out into the field to work in a half hour or so. Or so I thought...
As the student body worked their way into the amphitheater, Booster Club parents were handing out t-shirts to all the football players from last year's teams with the Freshmen team sitting in the front of the stage.
Then the sounds of police sirens could be heard. Being a cop, I wanted to get out and see what was going on. I was told it was an escort for Darren as he arrived to the PHHS campus in a Limo. Players from the Varsity, JV and the Freshmen teams all lined up along with the Charger girls to create a tunnel for Darren to walk through to the stage all to the song 'Back in Black' by AC/DC. The student body all stood up and greeted Darren, his mother Vivian and brother Bryan with loud applause. It was pretty loud and very cool!
Apparently, Darren had no idea what was going on either. Chris Sichel from the Make a Wish Foundation hosted the event. Chris announced we were all gathered to grant a wish on behalf of the Foundation and Darren. Chris asked Darren if he was ready to share his wish with the student body. He said yes...
Darren wished for new uniforms from Nike for all three levels of the Football Program at Patrick Henry. Coach Mike Martinez were sitting next to each other on the stage and simultaneously we mouthed the following words: Oh Fudge! (I know I teach our players not to curse. So to be honest, I didn't say fudge! I owe everybody 5 push-ups)
Numb. Shocked. Unbelievable. I began to cry. Not tears of sadness. Tears of joy! The place went wild! Players stood up and were yelling and screaming! The entire student body erupted with pride and gratitude! I still cannot describe all the emotions I had at the time.
Then Chris asked me to speak to the student body. I was so overwhelmed by emotion... I could have easily broke down and started sobbing. Then I looked down at my players and I could hear them, "Go ahead coach, we got your back!" God knows I love those young men.
I composed myself and spoke about the close knit family we have here at Henry. I spoke about building men for others and our core values: Faith, Family, School and Football. To be honest, I don't remember much of what I said. My head was still reeling. But I do remember telling everybody I loved Darren.
The Charger girls then took over. They gave Darren Charger gear, tickets and parking passes to the Charger home opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars and most important of all, a field pass for Darren to be on the field during the game!
At the end of the assembly, hugs and tears were shared amongst family and friends. Typical of our football players, they all gathered around Darren and loudly did their Patriot victory jumping jacks! It was overwhelming.
Players from all levels signed Darren's jersey as a sign of appreciation.
Darren's father Tom was not able to make the assembly. So Darren and the Make a Wish Foundation asked me if I could join them at Seau's for lunch. Food? I have never met a cop that turns down food. So of course I said yes.
We met Junior Seau (who came in early from surfing) at the restaurant. He presented Darren with a signed football. Darren showed Jr. the new jersey and he was impressed with the Patriot logo on the front. Above is a photo of Jr trying to scam some of my 'platter' I was sharing with Darren.
At the end of the day, Darren was worn out. But he was grinning ear to ear. He is coming to the end of his battle with cancer and his future, bright as it is, lies in front of him.
Later in the day, I went to the Spring Football practice. I spoke to the Varsity and JV about the love that was shown by the team and by Darren. These young men are hungry for this message and I have no problem telling them I love them. Trust, love and family... the common denominators of building a football team.
On a side note. Darren's cousin, Arturo Najera (#33 from last year's freshmen team) came up to me and passed on a request. "Since Darren gave us this great gift, shouldn't we recognized him with a patch on the uniforms with the number 66?"
For those of you that have been following our young men for the last 10 months, are you surprised? The selfless act of a young men to show unity and love for their brother who has been stricken with cancer, the prayers and support for our brother, the Haircut for Darren to show solidarity, our constant communication to let Daren know is not alone and that he is in our thoughts... And it all comes full circle with his wish to reciprocate that love to his brothers and teammates.
I am not surprised. I know in my heart that these young men will go out into society and be productive members in society, loving fathers, loving husbands and loving sons. THEY GET IT! And I couldn't be prouder.
So my recommendation for acknowledging Darren are as follows: I will ask the Booster Club and Coach Martinez if we could embroider the #66 in the back collar of every jersey. It symbolizes two things: 1)It recognizes Darren and his selfless act of getting these jerseys for the football program. 2)The #66 on the back of our jerseys symbolizes the team carrying Darren and his family when times were tough. "Lean on me, when you're not strong, and I'll be your friend. I'll help you carry on..."
Vivian sent me a poem that speaks volumes on why I am so involved with these young men. From the book Season of Life:
There is a destiny that makes us brothers;
None goes his way alone:
All that we send into the lives of others
Comes back into our own.
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