Former Tiger Hixon made big impact

[Guest Hixon_Well_Wisher]

Former Tiger Hixon made big impact in short time at LSU

By DAVE MOORMAN

The Ascension Citizen

BATON ROUGE - The man wept as he read the wire-service story about how Stan Hixon and his family were coping with the trauma of having their son, Drew, in a coma following a hit he took in a football game.

The man had known Stan Hixon as the wide receivers coach at LSU, a position he had held for four years before accepting a post with the Washington Redskins prior to this season. The man had never met Drew, but from all accounts, Drew was just as caring and generous as his father.

Drew certainly touched those at LSU, who were shaken by the incident. Since the jarring tackle that sent Drew to a Tampa hospital on Sept. 11, LSU coach Nick Saban said his wife, Terry, has called Rebecca Hixon nearly every other day.

Drew originally signed with LSU but transferred to Tennessee Tech after his redshirt freshman season in 2001. Despite his short stay, he made a profound impact. No less than senior cornerback Corey Webster had the words "Lil Hix" cut and colored into the hair on the back of his head. It was the least Webster could do for his friend in need.

Webster said there were encouraging signs that Hixon may be on his way to recovery. Involuntary reflexes such as coughing and sneezing have indicated as much.

 

Webster didn't dwell on the subject, but fellow gladiators can't spend too much time thinking about the dangers inherent in their increasingly violent sport. They move on and pray for their fallen comrades and hope to God that everything, and everyone, will be OK.

For others, it's not so easy to shake the image of parents having to go through such an ordeal. All the more frightening was the fact that Rebecca was in the stands when the collision between Hixon and two South Florida defensive backs occurred. The man couldn't help but wonder how he would feel in a similar situation. On the one hand, you want your children to find happiness in what they do. On the other hand, you feel compelled to protect them from harm.

Rebecca tried to rationalize the situation by explaining that you could get hurt walking down the street. She's right, of course, but that didn't keep the man from shedding another tear as he imagined the pain that the Hixons have endured.

The story hit all too close to home for the man, who had graduated from South Florida and once had played Florida Little Major League Baseball with the Bulls' head football coach, Jim Leavitt. Drew had been taken in critical condition to St. Joseph's Hospital, where the man's grandmother had often gone while residing in a Tampa nursing home in the last years of her life.

All that made the man contemplate the precious gift of life and to wish Drew Hixon and his family the best. The man felt helpless, wishing there was something he could do that would lead to Drew's complete and full recovery. The man also wished he could find a way to reduce the spate of serious injuries creeping into a game that has become more physical than ever, as it is played by swifter and larger human beings trained year round to do just what happened in the collision between Hixon and the two defensive backs.

Hixon lost his helmet and the football on the play. To heck with them. Let them go forever, just as long as Hixon can retain the mental and physical faculties that have made him the loving son and cherished friend he has become.

About the same time as the man wiped away his tears, his 11-year-old daughter bounded into the room. She was cheerful and playful as always, exuding all the love and warmth in her heart. The man reached out to her and put her in his lap. He hugged her, never wanting to let her go.

http://www.ascensioncitizen.com/articles/2004/09/30/sports/sports7.txt

[Velcro]

What is with this guy calling himself "the man"?

[Apis Bull]

What is with this guy calling himself "the man"?

I'm not sure if he's reffering to himself or not.

[Guest Hixon_Well_Wisher]

I couldn't quite figure that out myself, but thought it was a good story anyway.

I guess it does beg the age old question: Who is the man?

[Velcro]

definitely a good story... but i doubt the author will be winning any pulitzer prizes any time soon.

[T-Man]

The Man= The idiot writer.