by joanna

I talked to Pittsburg Colgan football coach Chuck Smith today and he told me about a former player of his, Travis Newton, who died last Friday. There’s a funeral on July 3, at 10:30 a.m.

What caught my interest is when Smith said Newton was a four-year varsity player — and he had been given a new heart before he entered high school.

When he was a freshman, Smith said he came to him and said, ‘Coach, I want to play football this year.’ I said, ‘oh no, you’re not.’

‘Well, the doctor said I could.’ I said, ‘well I’m talking to the doctor first.’

Smith said the doctor cleared him to play. “Boy, you talk about a kid with a lot of courage.”

A 1991 graduate, he played in a state title game as a senior.

“What a feat for this young man,” Smith said. “He was on the list to get another heart. It had been 25 years, almost. He was on the list to get another heart. He didn’t get it in time.”

I’m always amazed by people like Newton. I know that there are many who go through extremely difficult times and show courage and, excuse me, heart.

I’m sure you know of people who are like Newton. Feel free to share a story.