Mental strength and determination can be stronger than physical strength, demonstrated by the 1980 USA Hockey Team and my son in eighth grade football
Mark Pavelich, a Miracle on Ice 1980 USA Olympic hockey player, was doing better until his death last week. He was receiving court-ordered treatment for psychological distress. His sister believes Pavelich suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), caused by the repetitive brain injuries suffered through his career with the NHL. Despite his smaller size, he had an inspiring hockey career. He was most noted for his time with the New York Rangers and his integral role on the USA team to win the gold medal against the Soviet Union. The 1980 Olympic game was a David-Goliath event. The favored Soviet Union was heavily favored being a four-time defending gold medalist.
Pavelich’s family will have his brain analyzed through an autopsy to determine if he suffered from CTE. The common symptoms of CTE include confusion, impaired judgment, aggression, and depression.
My husband shared Pavelich’s death with me the day before the third anniversary of losing our son. He mentioned the similarities of Pavelisch being smaller in size for the sport. A statement by the New York Rangers described Pavelich as determined and passionate. My son had such tenacity, spirit, and determination he used that to overcome his smaller stature. He also had multiple concussions from sports, and we both wonder if this had an effect on his brain as he aged.
One of my son’s coaches spoke at his memorial service. I asked his coach to write the story he shared so I could recall it later. The story has minor parallels with David-Goliath, demonstrating my son’s mental strength to overcome his size at a young age. This is a portion of the remembrance he shared at my son’s service.
A Coaches Story
“Will had so many great qualities about him. He was smart, good-looking, kind, and generous. Outstanding characteristics that we all admire. I had the privilege to be one of Will’s coaches in football, hockey, and baseball. And a privilege it was, as he was respectful and eager to show others that he could always perform at his best. He consistently came with a smile at practice and games.”
“I have a fun short story about Will that I would like to share with all of you that I believe captures Will’s spirit.”
“His dad and I were coaching the 8th-grade football team together, with both of our sons participating. We were working on teaching the kids how to tackle and be safe while doing it. Now our team at the 8th-grade level had four kids that weighed over 225 pounds. Kenny was one of these kids, and I was using him to help demonstrate this tackling drill. Kenny was lined up between the two tackling dummies, and I asked the rest of the team who would like to go up against Kenny? It was quiet, and no hands went up. I looked at my son, and kind of gave him the evil eye; he looked back at me and gave me the look of “are you nuts? No Way!”.
Now Erik was about the same size as Will.
Pretty quickly after that, this young man named Will volunteered for the drill. I looked at his dad, and he didn’t say anything, but I got the look that this better work or Will’s mom will let me hear it. Will stepped into the drill and made a perfect tackle, Kenny went down, Will didn’t get hurt, and he demonstrated to the rest of his teammates that even the smallest kid could tackle the big guys. He got up from the drill with a huge smile. I think his performance that day at practice allowed us to be undefeated that year.”
Three Year Angel Anniversary
Three years without my son has been unbearable for us. We think about him every day. I know he is with us, along our journey, us here and him there. He is listening and watching.
Those who love my son and his family cannot be together on this anniversary because of COVID-19. Still, I ask you to carry on the tradition of writing a message to him and float it up in ashes. He will receive it up in the heavens.
Pass along a Will story to wrap it around it ourselves, easing the loneliness from not being together. Peace and love to you.
