Wombat
Davone Bess > Chuck Norris
Just two weeks before playing in the national title game in what should be an emotional high for any college player, University of Florida star defensive back Reggie Nelson is coping with the death of his mother.
Mary Lakes of Melbourne died Thursday night after a three-year battle with breast cancer.
Affectionately known as “Miss Mary,†Lakes had been a custodial worker at Central Middle in West Melbourne.
Lakes was hampered by her condition during Nelson’s season but was able to attend the Central Florida game earlier in the year, a 42-0 win on Sept. 9, in which Nelson had three tackles.
She called the chance “exciting†while seated near an exit with an oxygen tank by her side and teasingly said her doctor would not be happy with her for making the trip to Gainesville. Lakes and her son had a special relationship, talking virtually every day on the telephone.
After Nelson scored a touchdown on a 70-yard interception return in a 28-13 win against Alabama on Sept. 30, she said in an interview with Florida Today after the game, “Tell Reggie to check his messages.†She frequently left him messages right after games and said his play inspired her to fight even harder.
“Reggie had a special relationship with his mother,†Gators coach Urban Meyer said today. “She was a tremendous person and an inspiration for Reggie and many others. Our entire football program is deeply saddened and in mournng.
“We will remain by Reggie’s side and provide emotional and spiritual support for him during this difficult time.â€Â
On the field, Nelson had a season most players could only dream of, as a consensus All-American, a finalist for the Bronco Nagurski Trophy for the nation’s top defender and the Thorpe Award for the nation’s top defensive back.
Earlier this fall, Meyer called Nelson the best defensive back he has ever been around during his coaching career.
Just before his mother’s death he was named the recipient of the 2006 Jack Tatum Award, presented by the Touchdown Club of Columbus to college football’s top defensive back. The trophy presentation will take place as part of the TCC’s 52nd annual Sports Awards Banquet on Feb. 10.
A finalist for the Nagurski and Jim Thorpe Awards, Nelson is sixth among UF players with 50 tackles, including 34 solo efforts, and his six interceptions rank third in the Southeastern Conference. He has also returned 12 punts for 93 yards (7.8 yards per return), in addition to blocking two punts. The Gators’ team took a break after Thursday’s practice for the holidays but meet top-ranked Ohio State for the national title on Jan. 8 in Glendale, Ariz.
Ohio State coach Jim Tressel called Nelson the Gators’ team leader on defense.
“Reggie Nelson is a player,†Tressel said. “He’s a guy that, he comes up with big plays. You can tell he’s kind of like the quarterback of that defense and is always where he is supposed to be, makes extraordinary plays that motivate and get his defense going in the right direction.â€Â
Lakes worked at Central Middle School before her illness overcame her.
“She was just a wonderful Christian lady, everybody loved her,†said Judy Roach of Indialantic, a former teacher at Central.
"(Lakes) was alive and he was able to see her,†Roach said about Nelson’s last meeting with his mother. “(The family members) were waiting for him, she did not die until some time last night. She probably waited until he got home.â€Â
Lakes had been at Holmes Regional since last week. Roach and other friends visited her and brought cookies, food and drinks to share with the family.
“She was a wonderful friend to everybody and a wonderful mother and it’s hurting us that sheâ€â„s gone now,†said Barbara Felton, former secretary at Central who worked with Lakes from 1986 to 2003, when Lakes had to go on disability
http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061222/BREAKINGNEWS/61222027/1086
My prayers go to the family.
Mary Lakes of Melbourne died Thursday night after a three-year battle with breast cancer.
Affectionately known as “Miss Mary,†Lakes had been a custodial worker at Central Middle in West Melbourne.
Lakes was hampered by her condition during Nelson’s season but was able to attend the Central Florida game earlier in the year, a 42-0 win on Sept. 9, in which Nelson had three tackles.
She called the chance “exciting†while seated near an exit with an oxygen tank by her side and teasingly said her doctor would not be happy with her for making the trip to Gainesville. Lakes and her son had a special relationship, talking virtually every day on the telephone.
After Nelson scored a touchdown on a 70-yard interception return in a 28-13 win against Alabama on Sept. 30, she said in an interview with Florida Today after the game, “Tell Reggie to check his messages.†She frequently left him messages right after games and said his play inspired her to fight even harder.
“Reggie had a special relationship with his mother,†Gators coach Urban Meyer said today. “She was a tremendous person and an inspiration for Reggie and many others. Our entire football program is deeply saddened and in mournng.
“We will remain by Reggie’s side and provide emotional and spiritual support for him during this difficult time.â€Â
On the field, Nelson had a season most players could only dream of, as a consensus All-American, a finalist for the Bronco Nagurski Trophy for the nation’s top defender and the Thorpe Award for the nation’s top defensive back.
Earlier this fall, Meyer called Nelson the best defensive back he has ever been around during his coaching career.
Just before his mother’s death he was named the recipient of the 2006 Jack Tatum Award, presented by the Touchdown Club of Columbus to college football’s top defensive back. The trophy presentation will take place as part of the TCC’s 52nd annual Sports Awards Banquet on Feb. 10.
A finalist for the Nagurski and Jim Thorpe Awards, Nelson is sixth among UF players with 50 tackles, including 34 solo efforts, and his six interceptions rank third in the Southeastern Conference. He has also returned 12 punts for 93 yards (7.8 yards per return), in addition to blocking two punts. The Gators’ team took a break after Thursday’s practice for the holidays but meet top-ranked Ohio State for the national title on Jan. 8 in Glendale, Ariz.
Ohio State coach Jim Tressel called Nelson the Gators’ team leader on defense.
“Reggie Nelson is a player,†Tressel said. “He’s a guy that, he comes up with big plays. You can tell he’s kind of like the quarterback of that defense and is always where he is supposed to be, makes extraordinary plays that motivate and get his defense going in the right direction.â€Â
Lakes worked at Central Middle School before her illness overcame her.
“She was just a wonderful Christian lady, everybody loved her,†said Judy Roach of Indialantic, a former teacher at Central.
"(Lakes) was alive and he was able to see her,†Roach said about Nelson’s last meeting with his mother. “(The family members) were waiting for him, she did not die until some time last night. She probably waited until he got home.â€Â
Lakes had been at Holmes Regional since last week. Roach and other friends visited her and brought cookies, food and drinks to share with the family.
“She was a wonderful friend to everybody and a wonderful mother and it’s hurting us that sheâ€â„s gone now,†said Barbara Felton, former secretary at Central who worked with Lakes from 1986 to 2003, when Lakes had to go on disability
http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061222/BREAKINGNEWS/61222027/1086
My prayers go to the family.
