A WORD FROM DANNY QUACH ABOUT COACH BLIZZY

Hey guys, I just thought this would be a great way for me to let you guys into a part of my life that only my football team knew about me. And even some of my teammates didn't know, but for sure my Offensive Line knew. This is just a way for me to get some of that grief and stuff off of my chest, and get some ideas onto some paper. Sorry if this is going to seem like a book, I have a lot to say and some things to post. If you guys don't wanna read the meat of it all, it's not going to hurt my feelings, again, this is just a way to get stuff off of my chest and help me cope with the loss of my Coach.It started pretty much eighth grade year when we would go up for morning workouts with the highschool kids. It would always be Coach Caputo and Bubba shuttling us there and back. I remember the first few workouts being some of the most intimidating moments in my life. Of course, I had my buddies backing me up, but it was all too much. We were running drills upstairs, I was still listed under defensive tackle, but Coach Caputo had us play both sides. So, during the offensive period, I remember Coach Blount pointed out me and Brandon Sheppard randomly and was just like you two, copy what you see and downblock the yellow dummy. At this point me and Shep weren't even acquaintances, but as a duo at Offensve Guard, it was the start of something beautiful. Anyways, after that practice, Coach brought me and Shep aside, and said "You two are going to be my starting guards". Me and Shep kind of looked at each other, with a slight smirk, and exchanged a handshake, and that was that.
As the pre-season workouts and many summer sessions passed, we ended up with what we considered our own all-star team. Haha-- our own 9th grade, all-star team. We were destined to do great, great things, lead by Coach Blount. He took so much pride in coaching us and making sure we were going to be set for our first highschool game. He took it seriously, he had scouting reports made out with playbooks and inspirational quotes and even sometimes even his own drawings, haha. He made us arrive early, stay late, and basically become a unit. He knew that we weren't the biggest, fastest, or strongest group of kids he had seen, but he saw something in us. Him and Coach Top believed in something more. They believed that we were going to be the future reloading stage of Salem. We were the kids that were going to pick up after our 13-1 team went to the dome and had moved along. I remember back then, only a select group of Freshman got to dress out for the Varsity game. Just out of memory, these kids were as followed: Quach, Shep, A.Wil, Baby Vick, JaJuan, Z-Rodd, Chops, Caleb, Koy, Sammy, Miller, Jake and a handful more I can't pick out of my memory.So fast foward, past our first, sloppy, ugly game, but win, against Leulla, and past our first win against our forever biggest bragging right game versus Heritage's 9th grade team, in which they thought we played Varsity kids because we whooped them so bad, and past our first and only loss against Rockdale, which we won't ever speak of again, to the 9th Grade Championship game. It was a Thursday afternoon and a beautiful day. Temperature was just right for us fat offensive lineman, and we were so stoked to play our first ever opponent, Luella Highschool. We step onto the field and you can just hear Coach Blount say "Are you kidding me?" The field at Evans was just watered, for the following Varsity game on Friday. Apparently no one got the memo that the biggest game of our budding football career was being played in the next hour on this damp, muddy field. But that didn't stop Coach from getting us all fired up and ready to play. Now at the first snap of the ball, this team was totally different: Luella dropped a few players from their JV and Varsity Squads to play this game. Not saying they were older, because Luella was a small school so some of their 9th graders played up a level, but this wasn't the same team we clobbered the first game of our 9th grade season. This team was so much better, and I don't think we were too ready for that. But a quick recap of the game: We warmed up, Captains were I think Me, A. Wil, Zach, and Terrance, but it really didn't matter who they were because we all walked up to the center when determining kick off. Back on track: The field was crap, everyone was slipping and sliding, it was a mud and blood bath. We were giving it our all, and Remierez Gray had returned a kick off for a TD, making it 7-0. Luella ended up scoring a touchdown, and for whatever the reason, I'm guessing to for the win, because no one was making too much advancement in the offensive side of the ball, went for 2, trying to give them the lead making it 7-8. I remember Coach telling us, do EVERYTHING you can to penetrate and do NOT let that big number 48 to get into that end zone. I remember the snap of the ball, I shot straight through the center and guard (I was at an off-set nose) and making it into the back field but over pursuing, and missing the tackle, but I tripped him up. He bubbled outside and I scrambled to get up onto my feet and hoping someone would get him, but I thought it was going to be a 2 point conversion. Zachary was a bit too far inside to reach him, but what I didn't see was Alex Wilson was unblocked. Out of the blue, A. Wil laid the smack down on the fullback, stopping him in his tracks. The rest of our Defense swarmed around and that was the end of the play. They didn't convert! Coach was ecstatic... He was gleaming with how we were playing and all riled up, jumping all up and down the sideline. Something happened during early third quarter that was epic, to say the least. I remember, there was a stupid penalty for whatever reason it was, taking one of our big plays on offense back, and Coach Blount said "You're cheating the kids, ref.." The Referee flipped out and they got into a verbal arguement and Coach Blount got EJECTED from our CHAMPIONSHIP GAME. It was rediculous. So Coach (I swear, this should have been a movie or something.. haha) got us all into a big huddle, and said something along the lines "You guys, I know you're playing your hearts out, and it's more than I can ask for, the way you're going full force out there. They're kicking me out, but that gives you all the more reason to beat them. Play the rest of the game guys, play the rest of the game just how we practice and how we prepare. Don't make stupid mistakes, play the rest of this game for me." We were pumped with adrenaline, teary eyed and everything. We all got into a big huddle and broke it down on Coach and he was ejected from the game. Coach Phiell had to come fill in for him. In the end, it was a beautiful thing. The clocked ticked down to zero on the score board in the fourth quarter, and it was brightly lit up "HOME: 7 AWAY:6". We were all celebrating and Coach was let back in and we all sprinted to him and cheered and hugged and celebrated our biggest accomplishment so far in our football career as a team.

oh, and just a side note for all of my brothers on the 9th grade team, just a few simple words that will bring back one of the funniest moments probably in the history of Salem football: TRIPPLE. REVERSE. PASS.So, that was basically the beginning of our first life changing experience with Coach Blount. I can't speak for all of my teammates, but I can speak for myself. And without him, I wouldn't be the same technician I am on the field. I wouldn't be as strong as I am without him. I wouldn't have been as fast off the ball without him. More importantly, I wouldn't have been as close to some of my best friends right now without him. Most importantly, I wouldn't have gotten to build a relationship with a man that seriously influenced my academics, athletics, and my character.And this is pretty indirect, but I kept my best friends, and made even more best friends that I know for a fact that I can keep at heart, even though we are all at different schools now. I love all my brothers from Salem and won't forget you guys: Chops, Shep, Terrance, Cory, Sammy, Zachary, JP, A.Wil, Miller, Blake. And anyone else I forgot. I love you guys like brothers and you know I'm here if you need me and I know I can call you up whenever and you guys would be there for me.I would go into more games and practices and memories, but I'll just give a few short blurbs that will captivate the essence of how Coach impacted me.Coach would always tell me to use my size to advantage. Of course I'm short, probably the shortest offensive lineman to earn region and all-area honors. I saw it as a disadvantage, but he pulled me aside and said: "Quach-Kwan-Do (Yep, he gave me that nick name, haha). You're a smart Asian right? What's the main thing I want you guys to do when you block? Stay low. You're short right? So there should be NO excuse of you ever being too high because even if you stand up, you're still low!"Coach would always tell me that he would never get into the weight room with me. He always told me I had a passion in the weightroom, but if he were to step in there, he would embarrass me. I told him, since I was a freshman, that I would hit 300 bench and 400 squat at least, before the end of my senior year. And him being Coach, always hounded me about it. He was in disbelief when I hit 305 and 405, and said prove it to him. I said I had already maxed out with Bubba and its on paper. Coach said that it was ONLY on paper and he wasn't going to believe it until he saw it. So one day after school, I told him to come to the weightroom and that was the FIRST and ONLY time me he would lift with me, because he would embarrass me-- hah. But when it all came down to it, I couldn't press 305 that afternoon, and he said "I told you it was only on paper." He knew I could do it, and he made positive he asked bubba himself, but he was just giving me a hard time, like always. hah.Coach one day pulled me aside my during a class change and we were just talking about what I was doing after highschool, if I wanted to play football, where I'm going... etc. He never doubted what I could do with my ability, whether it be in the weight room, on the field, or in the class room. He said to me, which I will never forget. He told me that day: "You know why I know you're going to make it far Danny? Because you have this uncanny ability to make people like you for who you are. You are just yourself and people gravitate towards you. You don't socialize with one group particular group. You don't discriminate between skin color or anything like that. You can see the good in people and people can feel the good in you. So whatever you choose to do, you'll be fine, Danny. You'll be more than fine."After Coach Dafny, OD, passed away, I wrote something for the my team at the beginning of my Senior season. The first person I sent it to was Coach Blount, expressing to him that he has affected me, and I told him how this piece of work, which I'll leave at the bottom of this note, was influenced by him and O.D. and how it was basically everything he had taught me. I told him I felt that even though he was my Coach, he was my basically my mentor. I told him I saw him and Ms. Tina as family. I told him that I care so much about Megan and Drew. He responded back and said how touched he was that he influenced what I wrote. He said he didn't know he had such an impact on my life and he was honored. He said that he saw me as family as well, like a uncle-nephew relationship and that if I ever needed anything just come on over. He was always there for me to just talk to, joke around, grab a some lunch, be my adult advice, but be my realistic advice.I would go into the Spaghetti dinners and how amazingly amazing they are and how many memories were made around that round table, how many jokes were made, how many bonds were tightened, an infinite amount of laughter was shared, and how much we just learned about one another and how we just cherished each other's company, BUT that would be another 6 pages in and of itself. So I'll just leave it at: Thank you SO much Ms. Tina, for all the pounds and pounds and pounds and pounds of spaghetti and sauce and meatballs and brownies and lemonade and sweet tea that us fat men demolished every Wednesday night. Thank you for providing us your time and love and your house to come fool around and watch film. Thank you so much. And Thank you, Megan and Drew, for providing us with entertainment throughout each night, one in particular, Drew and his size-too-small spidey suit. hahaha.Back to the actual Football field. Coach would tell me before every game, after we met in our offensive meetings after pregame meal, he would pull me aside and he would always ask: "Are you ready?" Of course I would always answer "Always Coach, Always." He would always stare daggars into my eyes for at least 5 seconds, and then shake my hand. He then would say "Is your line ready?" Again, I answered "Always, Coach." and he would always, always respond "You better hope so, because if they mess up, I'm holding it accountable for you." He'd give a smirk, a pat on the back, and I would go get suited up.My senior season of football was probably one of the best years of my life. There were ups and downs and fights and struggles and triumphant moments and all that. Fastfoward to the St. Pius X game, past the loss and all that. It was after the game where Coach pulled me aside. I was crying bullets, sobbing like a mad man, everyone tried to comfort me, but I was completely devastated. That game was THE LAST game I would ever play. Everything thing, the time, the sacrifice, the blood, the sweat, the tears, the time spent in the weight room, the time spent running, the passion and emotion I put in, all over. He picked me up, Drew by his side, now by mine. He said: "Danny, look at me". I look up, eyes red, dirt covered, sweaty, hand wraps tearing at the tape seams. And he says: "You played with all you had and all your heart, I saw that. You came in walking onto this field with your head held high, let's walk off the same way, with your head held high." And at that moment, I took a glance around, the friday night lights brighter than ever, the grass ever greener, the field looking as perfect as it could have been, Drew grabbed my hand, Coach put his hand around my pads, and we walked off together. I will NEVER forget that feeling. It was encompassed with love, and passion, and compassion, and strength, and everything all intertwined. It was amazing.I walked onto that field with my head held high, and through all the turmoil and defeat, we walked off together with my head held high. Fastfoward to the opening game of the salem. The last time I saw Coach was Friday September 5th, 2008. He was in the press box, as happy as he was during my last season. He was calling plays and watching his team and players and just having a blast. I went up into the box and gave him a hug. I could tell it was taking him so much just to be there. It took so much out of him just to give me a smile and have a conversation with me. Even with his weak exterior, he was the prime example of strength within. He would risk it all, just to be at the opening game in our brand new stadium, and to see his team play, even through all of the chemo and struggle and all of that. We were talking and he asked me how I was and I asked how he was. He said he's fairing well, but there's a lot of ups and downs and he's in a down moment, but he's gonna stay low and push through. I told him that he better hurry up and get better so he and the family could come tailgating with us at the UGA games and he said he's going to try his hardest. He then told me he was going to have to talk to me during half time, because he had to get back to Salem's game, so he told me to come find him during halftime. Halftime rolled around and he wasn't feeling too well, and at the beginning of the third, he had to go home. I went back to Athens not getting to see and talk to Coach again. And that was the last time I would ever see him.Now that I put all that out there, I just wanted to thank everyone, new friends, old friends, teammates, everyone who gave me their time of day to make sure I'm ok and how I was doing. I apologize if I was brief or short-worded, it's just how I kinda deal with it all. I'm not used to receiving sympathy and all that jazz, but I really do appreciate it and it means more to me than you guys know, just knowing you guys care. So thank you guys so much for every text, message, hug, everything to let me know you guys care about me. But I ask that you guys keep the Blounts in your thoughts, because it's still a long road for Ms. Tina and Megan and Drew and Matt.I'll miss Coach, without a doubt. I'll miss his humor and his laugh and just, I'll miss him, simply. It's all still a shock to me, and I'll probably look back on this and bawl my eyes out just re-reading, but for now, I'm good. Coach told me to walk off the field the same way I walked on, with my head held high. I know Coach went the same way he started off, Fighting like heck. He will always be with me and I'll always have him in mind in everything I do. So here's to you, Coach: I will not fear.

Below are just a few things I wrote that was inspired by Coach, just incase you guys are bored or interested enough to read. I love you guys.Here's a piece I call "An Ode to Offensive Lineman", it's kinda cliche, but I really like how I structured the whole piece, and it's a metaphor to living life at times. try to pick it apart. haha--anyways:

1st and Ten-Confidence graced with arrogance on the field... Not full of himself, in particular, but full of pride for his teammates, his brothers....Down, Set....First contact, fastest off the ball. Low dog wins, stay with it. Trust your team around you. Believe in yourself, and believe in your team.[6 yard gain]2nd and Four-A set tone under the lights. Too much thinking about what if's and how to's rather than just playing good old fashioned football offsets his standards....Down, Set...Nerves get the best of him, concentrated intensity was wasted on doubt. But he's always forgiven and always given a second chance.[5 yard loss]3rd and Nine-Think about the next play and forget the last. No mistakes. Focus on the task at hands. No room for mistakes. Use what your strengths to your advantage....Down, Set...Perfect steps, perfect feet, perfect hands, perfect technique. Pass block, nice pocket. Ball is thrown and received.[8 yard gain]4th and One-Coach thinks we have enough heart, we have to prove it. Execute. Heart is racing, while sweat drips off his face mask, blood and dirt stain the uniform....Down, Set...Stay low and drive. Drive. Body aches and is about to break; it's all a mental game now. Stay on your man, stay at his hip. Trust your technique, Trust your coaches, and Trust each other. Trust yourself.[Touchdown]There isn't a title for this, it was more of I guess something I wanted the team to follow. An inspirational speech or something. But yeah, it was inspired by Coach Blount, so I thought you guys want to read it to see how he inspired it.Give it your all, no matter what it takes; Fight through the threshold and find a new level, a new limit. Never be satisfied. It's bound to happen-- It will happen. Whatever you want, as long as you push, shove, fight for what you want. A victory, a stance. Pain is weakness... Pain is... Temporary. Pride. Be the epitomy of pride. Walk around with your chest out and head up. Walk around with a certain swagger, a taste of superiority, but not much more. Allow yourself to be arrogant. Allow yourself to boast. But with that, allow yourself to be modest. Allow yourself to receive compliments. But, never allow yourself to take the compliments to your head. Use them as a compass, not a map. Allow yourself to exude confidence, but let it always be graced with humbleness. Be who you are, but do not be cocky. It's a state of body, a state of mind, a state of heart. Strive for better and be the best. Allow yourself to quit, but only as a last resort, and try again. Respect yourself. Only quit when you are completely drained, physically and mentally, but never be drained emotionally. Emotionally, you'll always tell yourself you're going to do, and will do your best. Give it effort after effort, attempt after attempt, until the task is accomplished. Allow yourself to cry, but not because of anguish. Allow yourself to cry when you've discovered the definition of enough. Allow yourself to cry when you think you've done the task at hand to the best of your ability. But never allow yourself to complain or mourn. Don't live in the past, remember it. Learn from it. Live in the present and dream for the future. Allow your actions to benefit you in the long run. Allow your body to break and bleed. But never ever allow your heart to do so. Know your limit, but set a higher goal. Respect your body and mind. Allow for breaks, bruises, and blood to mend, but do not allow yourself to use these as an excuse, only as a reminder. Allow yourself to step out of your comfort zone. Allow yourself to taste the intolerable. Allow your body to overcome physical boundaries. And your mind, mental boundaries. But do not allow yourself to dwell in this area; Do not allow yourself to be self absorbed. Allow yourself to observe others and listen. Allow yourself to get encouragement from your team mates, and return the favor. Allow yourself to see life in all angles, but keep your perspective at heart. Never think negatively, Always know there's a way to success. Allow yourself to imagine, but always pursue. Always ask questions, but never allow yourself to be ignorant. Dream, but do not fantasize. Run the sprints as if you were carrying the ball on the last play. Drive the sled until you are sure you can defeat the opponent. Struggle, but do not give up. Push the weight; control it. Become better with each set. Get bigger with each lift. Get faster with every carolina and gasture. Get stronger with every rep. Never allow room for excuses, but listen to your body. Be stern and serious, but also knowledgeable and smart. Be dedicated to both the weight room and class room, and most of all, the field. Be inspired, but strive to inspire. Be a rolemodel, a leader. Be a winner. If you are to fail, lose, or under-achieve, know how to handle the situation and benefit from it from whatever you can. Do not put others down, nor blame them. Hold your head high, but know at the particular situation, you could have done something different, something better. Do not keep your mindset in the mistake. Allow for repercussions, but see that you are not content with your performance. Never be content. The satisfaction that comes with hard work and true ethics will be so much sweeter in the end. Be strong through out any situation. Be strong for yourself. Be strong for your family, your parents. Be strong for your team, your brothers and coaches. But most importantly, be strong for yourself. And success is bound to come. Remember: Pain is weakness. Be strong for yourself and success will come.