On Monday, we directed your attention to The Times's tale of Sergio Kindle, the Woodrow Wilson High School grad one day away from playing in The Only College Football Game That Matters. A fellow Woodrow grad and good Friend of Unfair Park also directs our attention to an ESPN piece that aired earlier this week about the Longhorn linebacker and his "inspiration": Will Winters, son of Park and Recreation Department assistant director Willis Winters and wife Jan, who died in March 2005 after a blood clot following a foot operation. Chris Connelly's lengthy piece follows after the jump; I'd recommend taking with you a box of tissues.
I watched it when they ran it on Sportscenter...my wife walked in and thought our dog died or something! Great story, good kid, good people!
Now that wasn't fair. You warned me, but I thought I could 'tough' it out. I thought I only had burnt orange blood but now I know I have burnt orange tears. Go Horns!
Sergio is a great story and should be an inspiration to all collegiate athletes..got off to a rough start down there..DWI, limited playing time..kept his head up and worked his ass off, and has played himself into a high #1 pick this year...
Above the Woodrow stage, a proverb reads: "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life".
So having heart is the Wildcat credo. Nobody leaves the school without the memory of this.
When Randall Park across from Woodrow was renovated, the central plaza was named for Will Winters after alums and students raised the funds.
It's a "cable staid" structure of galvanized steel tubes with stainless steel suspension cables holding metal slats that shelters the plaza and still allows sunshine through. The tubes form two W's, for Woodrow Wilson.
Here's another story which references Will and Sergio near the end:
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/city/lakewood/stories/DN-elfocus_19met.ART.Central.Edition1.3e3b546.html
wow...
I am not a football fan and less a UT fan. But I will be watching the game after this and rooting for Sergio. Definitely a hanky drowning video.
Note to self: Next time Wilonsky recommends a box of tissues, get the box of tissues, darn it!
Man, that was sweet.