NFL News NFL News, Reports and Updates
David Thomas took a moment to gather himself as he recalled a seminal moment in his football career.
The former NFL tight end shared the story about learning he made Frenship’s varsity squad as a freshman. The interaction with then-Tigers coach Bobby Davis remained with him.
“When I opened the door, there was Bobby. He was moving me up to the varsity,” Thomas said, before almost 20 seconds of silence. “And he saw something in me. He believed in me. He wanted me to be challenged every day. Whether you were a young coach that he was teaching, any one of us as players, he believed in us.
“He wanted us to reach the potential that was inside of us.”
David Thomas pauses during his speech about his former high school football coach, Bobby Davis, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, at LakeRidge Methodist Church. “And he saw something in me,” Thomas said, “He believed in me.”
Like many gathered at LakeRidge Methodist Church, Thomas said, his successful career “started with Bobby” and the longtime coach’s support and molding. About 50 former players and colleagues made up a group of more than 200 in attendance at Davis’ celebration of life Saturday.
The “legend” and winningest coach in Frenship history, Davis died Monday at his home in Lubbock. He was 88. Eight rows made up the contingent of family, which included Davis’ three sons. Each followed their dad into the coaching profession.
Donnie Hart, former Texas Tech receiver and member of Frenship’s class of 1995, chalked that up to one of Davis’ most important roles.
“Why? Because he was their hero,” Hart said. “Just like he was a lot of our’s hero. And I don’t think you can have a bigger accomplishment in your life than being your child’s hero.”
Davis, a Plainview grad, coached for 44 years, including 38 as athletic director and head football coach. He led programs at Wilson, Post and Corpus…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/hundreds-gather-remember-tough-inspiring-090937748.html
Author : Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
Publish date : 2024-08-18 09:09:37
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
