Tragedy demonstrates the Life of our Soccer Community
Tragedy hit our Soccer
Community when Kenny Palmer, one our most well-known and liked members, died in
March this year. It seems that the unexpected passing of people in our
community is bringing us closer together and demonstrating that the soccer
community in Georgia is, in fact, a true community in every definition of the
word “community”. These tragedies make us take a step back and look at
ourselves and our relationships that develop around the soccer lifestyle. These
tragedies inspire our community to express, acknowledge and support the idea of
a true community.
Last year Coach Jay
Ingram passed when a car hit him while jogging near his home. This event shook
the NASA family and all those in youth soccer. His death showed us how many
people he touched directly and indirectly. People showed that he was truly
loved and appreciated by the things he did on and off the field. The people at
NASA and the soccer community immediately rallied around the family in support
by establishing a fund to help his family and went on to make an annual 5k.
NASA went on to acknowledge his impact, “Whether you knew Jay or not, the overwhelming outpouring
of support following the sudden loss of such a great man is beyond
description.”
The first
time I started to become aware of how tragedy in our community brings us
together to acknowledge the idea that we truly are a community was when Chris
Perrin, coach and player of the Genesis Soccer Club of the ADASL in the 80s
died suddenly. As a team mate of his, I remember how sudden it was and how many
people were moved by his life. The out pouring of love by the community was
incredible. Today we remember and celebrate his life when the ADASL crowns a
new champion in the Perrin Cup.
One of the
ways the soccer community comes together in support of the families and in
remembrance of our friends with the Father Christmas Cup. Steve O’Hare and
others in the community, with the help of the Atlanta Silverbacks, work every year to
put an event together with the purpose of
providing comfort and financial support to a family who will be experiencing
their first holiday season without a father. The annual event shows the great
generosity and community support from adult soccer players throughout
Georgia.
Every year I go to the event, I get to see many
of the people who year after year devote time to playing, coaching and
supporting soccer in our community. I get to see my old friends, their families
and the community come together to celebrate on of our own. I see this
community as a force beyond the soccer field. It really becomes evident that
although our friend is dead, our community is alive with their memory and
appreciation.
Last month, when Kenny died, it again went to
reinforce the idea that our community is alive. I was in awe by the amount of
people from the soccer community who came to show support for the family.
Again, I was able to see many from years past come in solidarity with Kenny in
his family. Again, teammates, rivals,
referees, administrators, parents, again, were all there in support. Within a
couple of days, Karon Beyer and others of CASL were making arrangements for a
trust to help the family. There was even a tournament created in Kenny’s Memory
at CASL. Steve O’Hare was already making preparations for Father Christmas.
It is with much sorrow and joy when we reflect
on our fallen friends and the impact they have had on all of us. Next time you
are at a match, take a good look at your teammates, opponents, refs and
supporters and be thankful for having the opportunity to be part of our Soccer
Community.
The soccer
community consists of all the people who played ADASL, CASL, Dekalb, Roswell
league from the 70s to the present. It consists of their families and the
circle of friends. It consists of all these past and present players who are
now working in their community by supporting youth organizations like AYSA, NASA,
TYSA, Concord and all the many clubs that have sprouted through Georgia as well
as organizations like Georgia Soccer and Soccer in the Streets. It
consists of their children who are now playing and their spouses who put up
with them. It consists of the folks at the Silverbacks and the Beat as well as
all Atlanta Chiefs, Ruckus and all the people involved in Georgia High School
and College soccer. It consists all the corporate sponsors who support our
endeavors. It consists of all the Pubs that have show soccer like the
Brewhouse, Fado’s, Rose and Crown and Churchill’s. It consists of people from
all races and many cultures. It is truly a multicultural community that serves
as an example to the rest of society.
This is the latest
information forwarded this morning.
Team - Ohana FC
Thunder, former players and friends.......
If you have not
already heard, Ken Palmer passed away last night after an apparent series of
heart attacks.
We played at 5:00 p.m.
game at Mudd Creek and Ken played most of the time up until about 25 minutes
into the 2nd half. He was on the far side of the field when he asked to be
subbed out. The guys yelled for me to get someone in and Ken just walked off on
the far side and hunched over. He seemed tired and just sat up and stayed over
there. Steve Bek was subbed out shortly after and sat with Ken for the rest of
the game. He came back over to the team after the game and did not speak with
me. He just grabbed his gear and went to the parking lot. I assumed that he had
left. I asked Steve what was up with Ken and he said Ken had told him that he
had shortness of breath. Well, apparently he had not made it out of the parking
lot as some people noticed Ken sitting in his car and not moving. An Ambulance
came and he apparently had a series of smaller heart attacks until what must
have been a massive one at the Hospital. They could not resuscitate him the
final time.
Kenny Palmer RIP
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