Wednesday, November 22, 2023

An end to an era 🏈

 Wow, it seems like yesterday that Ben and John C got Jimmy hooked on all things football. Vikings, Hopkins, North York, VMI, Kyle Rudolf, Captain Kurt, the Passtronaut...he's not only a fan, he's an expert and athlete.

This weekend was senior weekend at VMI and his very last game. Ever. Tom and Sue did a great job holding it together and Jimmy was such a great teammate, brother and friend.

VMI beat Western Carolina, which was amazing in an of itself. The boys came to win and they did!

WC had only lost 1 conference game and that was to 2nd ranked Furman. They love to run up the score and show no mercy. Plus they are showboats and hard to stomach. But, the VMI grit and brotherhood won out and they played their hearts out.  Jimmy's friends (Aiden, Evan, Jack, Colin, Josh) all played the best game of their careers and were names 1st and 2nd team all conference as well as players of the week. Go Boys!

The hugs at the end of the game were long, tight and heartfelt. You could feel the love they all have for each other. It will last them a lifetime.

Speaking of love, we hold so much love for all the football families in our lives, in Hopkins, North York and Lexington. They are supportive, kind, generous, funny and rabid supporters of their kids, teams and coaches. Truly a special breed of people.

And, the coaches, what can we say ... they helped Jimmy become who he is today. Doug O, Bob K, Coach Clark, Coach Wach, Bobby... They pushed and developed Jimmy, just not as a player, on the field, but as a leader, teammate and man of integrity.

Jimmy never did play a single down. But, he led the team prayer before each game, gave the defense team pre game speech at each game, ran out the flag twice and was affectionately known as Mr President or The Governor. These, coupled with the fact that he persevered and supported his team mates, no matter his playing status, so incredible grit and depth of character.

Jimmy we are so proud of you - You should we very proud of yourself.

Love you to the moon and back.

P.S. the day after the last game, a lot of the team entered the portal. Jimmy was there supporting them for that too! Creating highlight videos, posting tweets and overall sharing their joy as other universities are recruiting these amazing men.  So. Much. Love. 


1st uniform, ever


Roomies 



Haley's poster, Jimmy made the cut

The parents 


Coast Guard fly over 









Col Gen Wins superintendent 







MOE!







One VMI

Ben, my cousin's son, is a trainer at WC and he came over for a hug - he's taking a job with the Falcons in spring!




Recreating the start


The gang - Josh, Chance, Evan, Colin, Jimmy and Grant