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Pray for Siran Stacy..
- Thread starter JB
- Start date
CPort
Beach Fanatic
What are the odds of not one but two horrible wrecks in 14 months.
LightWorker
Beach Fanatic
bamabeachbum
Beach Fanatic
This is a post from Rob Shuler, who played for Auburn and is a good friend of Siran, post on the Inside the Auburn Tigers board....
Editor?s Note: Rob Shuler is a former Auburn offensive lineman who was a four-year letterman on Coach Pat Dye?s teams from 1982-1985. Shuler lives in Nashville where he runs All-American Holdings, a private equity fund that buys troubled American and European companies. Shuler is a regular on the AUTigers.com message boards and is wrote this Thanksgiving column about a friend in need who has lost family members in a traffic auto accident.
I learned to hate Alabama early in my career at Auburn. Being from Atlanta my main concern before arriving on the Plains was to beat Georgia. It all changed my first November in the Iron Bowl (Auburn 23, Alabama 22). The passion the players on both teams (most of them growing up in Alabama) displayed in the game was at a level of intensity I had never experienced. It was deeper than Georgia vs Georgia Tech (the rivalry I grew up watching in my backyard).
As our fans tore down the goal posts that afternoon I began to understand that this game was a build up of 365 days of waiting. It was what both Alabama fans and Auburn fans pointed towards the whole year not just in the football season.
After graduating from Auburn I eventually made my way up to Nashville, Tenn. Life would throw its share of curves at me and I ended up divorced and in an apartment eight years ago. And isn?t God funny, he would give me a new neighbor, Jim Farmer, the former great Alabama basketball player.
Jim and I bonded immediately. He was an athlete who understood what it took to be great--he had dealt with life after sports and he had had his share of failed relationships. We?d joke with each other about the Iron Bowl, but as former athletes we both appreciated and respected the investment each player on both teams had put into the game.
For the most part we were unbiased in our observations about good play and bad play for our respective teams. I served as an usher just a few years ago in Jim?s wedding, and wouldn?t you know it, I had to walk down the isle with another usher, Mark Gottfried (Yes the head coach of Alabama and Jim?s former roommate).
It was around this time Jim and I played in a celebrity golf tournament in Destin. At this tournament I would meet a guy who would become one of my closest friends, former Alabama running back Siran Stacy. Siran?s smile lit up the room as he talked with me and others. He radiated a joy few people have.
Yes, he played for Alabama and I played at Auburn, but that failed to register in our long conversations that would follow over the last few years. We would talk about our families, our careers, and most importantly, our relationship with God. The good and the ugly. Our failings and struggles.
We were very much alike, and if most men are honest, like most men. We both were not satisfied with where we were in life, but assured each other that life is a process and that there is mercy and grace given to all. We became brothers. One black, one white, one Auburn, one Alabama. It didn?t matter.
You see, Siran and I understood each other at a deep level and were able to encourage, laugh and challenge each other to move closer; closer to God, closer to our children, and closer to his wife (and for me closer to healthy relationships with women).
This has been a very difficult week for me. My Bama brother has experienced what I would not wish on my worst enemy. He has lost his beautiful wife and four of his precious children. He and his daughter Shelly are hanging tough in ICU. He will face enormous loss in the days, weeks and years to come. I don?t know the words I will speak when I see him. I don?t know if I will have the strength to help. I will pray that God in His great mercy will provide all Siran needs to make it through each day.
You see as we approach the Iron Bowl I?m lost for words. I don?t really care any more who wins the game. I care more about my friend, who once was a rival before I knew him but now is my bother in the darkest hour I can?t imagine and in need of much love and support.
Roll Tide, War Eagle, but most importantly, God be with Siran.
http://auburn.scout.com/2/704442.html
Editor?s Note: Rob Shuler is a former Auburn offensive lineman who was a four-year letterman on Coach Pat Dye?s teams from 1982-1985. Shuler lives in Nashville where he runs All-American Holdings, a private equity fund that buys troubled American and European companies. Shuler is a regular on the AUTigers.com message boards and is wrote this Thanksgiving column about a friend in need who has lost family members in a traffic auto accident.
I learned to hate Alabama early in my career at Auburn. Being from Atlanta my main concern before arriving on the Plains was to beat Georgia. It all changed my first November in the Iron Bowl (Auburn 23, Alabama 22). The passion the players on both teams (most of them growing up in Alabama) displayed in the game was at a level of intensity I had never experienced. It was deeper than Georgia vs Georgia Tech (the rivalry I grew up watching in my backyard).
As our fans tore down the goal posts that afternoon I began to understand that this game was a build up of 365 days of waiting. It was what both Alabama fans and Auburn fans pointed towards the whole year not just in the football season.
After graduating from Auburn I eventually made my way up to Nashville, Tenn. Life would throw its share of curves at me and I ended up divorced and in an apartment eight years ago. And isn?t God funny, he would give me a new neighbor, Jim Farmer, the former great Alabama basketball player.
Jim and I bonded immediately. He was an athlete who understood what it took to be great--he had dealt with life after sports and he had had his share of failed relationships. We?d joke with each other about the Iron Bowl, but as former athletes we both appreciated and respected the investment each player on both teams had put into the game.
For the most part we were unbiased in our observations about good play and bad play for our respective teams. I served as an usher just a few years ago in Jim?s wedding, and wouldn?t you know it, I had to walk down the isle with another usher, Mark Gottfried (Yes the head coach of Alabama and Jim?s former roommate).
It was around this time Jim and I played in a celebrity golf tournament in Destin. At this tournament I would meet a guy who would become one of my closest friends, former Alabama running back Siran Stacy. Siran?s smile lit up the room as he talked with me and others. He radiated a joy few people have.
Yes, he played for Alabama and I played at Auburn, but that failed to register in our long conversations that would follow over the last few years. We would talk about our families, our careers, and most importantly, our relationship with God. The good and the ugly. Our failings and struggles.
We were very much alike, and if most men are honest, like most men. We both were not satisfied with where we were in life, but assured each other that life is a process and that there is mercy and grace given to all. We became brothers. One black, one white, one Auburn, one Alabama. It didn?t matter.
You see, Siran and I understood each other at a deep level and were able to encourage, laugh and challenge each other to move closer; closer to God, closer to our children, and closer to his wife (and for me closer to healthy relationships with women).
This has been a very difficult week for me. My Bama brother has experienced what I would not wish on my worst enemy. He has lost his beautiful wife and four of his precious children. He and his daughter Shelly are hanging tough in ICU. He will face enormous loss in the days, weeks and years to come. I don?t know the words I will speak when I see him. I don?t know if I will have the strength to help. I will pray that God in His great mercy will provide all Siran needs to make it through each day.
You see as we approach the Iron Bowl I?m lost for words. I don?t really care any more who wins the game. I care more about my friend, who once was a rival before I knew him but now is my bother in the darkest hour I can?t imagine and in need of much love and support.
Roll Tide, War Eagle, but most importantly, God be with Siran.
http://auburn.scout.com/2/704442.html
drunkkenartist
Beach Fanatic
I feel horrible for him. I would have a nervous breakdown if I were in his shoes. His poor daughter. Tears me up.
His story reminded me of another one a long time ago, near here....
As far as odds go, not to really go off subject, but nearly 20 years ago, when I was stationed in Fort Walton Beach, a woman coming home from work near the intersection of Eglin Parkway and Racetrack Road hit and killed a young boy who ran out in front of her car, on a Tuesday after 5pm.
One week later, after work, on a Tuesday afternoon just after 5pm at the same intersection- opposite corner, she hit and killed another little boy that had run out in the road. I understand that she did have a breakdown and didn't drive for a while after that.
Sending out lots of positive thoughts to him and his and all involved...
dka
JB
Beach Fanatic
Bamabeachbum, that was a nice story you copied. Thanks.
The thing about this rivalry that I think makes it the best in America is it not only brings out passionate hatred, but also some common ground and amazing goodwill between both sides.
I don't think I've ever posted this before, but half my family are HUGE Auburn people. My father is an AU grad, as are all his brothers, as well as my late grandfather (who was close friends with coach Jordan).
But I grew up in Tuscaloosa during the 60's and 70's. They used to drag me down there to games at least twice a season for 20 years (this was during the late Shug/Barfield years. Not exactly a glorious time in AU history). But growing up one mile up the road from a team who was dominating college football during that time, there was no way I was going to be an AU fan. Bless their hearts for trying, but it just wasn't going to happen.
I respect the program and am fully prepared to take our annual beatdown on Saturday. Hopefully, the worm will start to turn next year.
The thing about this rivalry that I think makes it the best in America is it not only brings out passionate hatred, but also some common ground and amazing goodwill between both sides.
I don't think I've ever posted this before, but half my family are HUGE Auburn people. My father is an AU grad, as are all his brothers, as well as my late grandfather (who was close friends with coach Jordan).
But I grew up in Tuscaloosa during the 60's and 70's. They used to drag me down there to games at least twice a season for 20 years (this was during the late Shug/Barfield years. Not exactly a glorious time in AU history). But growing up one mile up the road from a team who was dominating college football during that time, there was no way I was going to be an AU fan. Bless their hearts for trying, but it just wasn't going to happen.
I respect the program and am fully prepared to take our annual beatdown on Saturday. Hopefully, the worm will start to turn next year.
Sheila
SoWal Insider
JB,
this story was the topic of our discussion on the way from our Thanksgiving dinner tonight. Sad, just so sad. How horrible for this entire family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to this family. Nothing much more we can say. Just sadness for this poor family. Bless them all.
this story was the topic of our discussion on the way from our Thanksgiving dinner tonight. Sad, just so sad. How horrible for this entire family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to this family. Nothing much more we can say. Just sadness for this poor family. Bless them all.
bamabeachbum
Beach Fanatic
JB,
My brother went to Alabama, my wife and all her faimly are from T Town,and I am the only Auburn fan among all of them,and we have great fun with it.
This rivarly is special. Both teams, no matter the record come out and play there guts out, but afterwards shake hands,its the fans that sometimes get carried away.
Again here is to a great game, and no one gets hurt.
