The last time I remember feeling like this in relation to the Patriots in the off-season was when Richard Seymour lost†both his parents in a shocking act of inexplicable violence.
As I wrote†in a comment on one of Brent’s posts below (back when I wasn’t going to add my post on top of his, but then I saw that the Herald had a six-story package of Marquise Hill coverage, and figured adding my two cents over here probably wouldn’t be considered excessive),†I canít say I ever was aware of Marquise Hill before the other day.†I canít say†I ever cheered for him by name, but any time the world loses a person like that, itís just that much the worse for wear. Itís a shame when it takes manner of someoneís death to highlight how they lived their lives, but we at least owe Marquise Hill some appreciationñeven if itís too late for him to hear it.
And it was as simple as that for me, until today. I don’t think the magnitude of the tragedy really hit me until I read†in a brilliantly written (if poorly headlined,†as traditionally newspaper reporters don’t write their own headlines) article†by Karen Guaregian of the Herald on Jarvis Green’s reaction.
With that last line, Green put his hands over his face, trying to bury the emotion. But he couldnít stop. The tears kept pouring out.
Now that. That got to me. There’s something about a 6-3, 285 pound NFL defensive end weeping uncontrollably about the death of his friend that can really get to you, ya know?
I realized I’ve been avoiding the Patriots news, because I knew the next step was to see and read about all of Hill’s teammates in tearful interviews like the one on Green, and because I knew the devastating details would keep pouring in. And what can you do, when you can’t even say you ever specifically rooted for the guy?
Still. He was a member of that family down in Foxboro, and he was a 24 year old young man with a fiancee and a two year old child who worked hard and stayed out of the limelight. Even as he died he showed his selflessness. What a haunting shame it is to lose someone like that, when the first time he makes any headlines is when it’s already too late.