Monday June 16, 2008

Clemson Has Us Covered

Clemson Has Us Covered
Today, I started a new week and it helped when I got back on the radio show. I missed nine shows and seven blogs but it seems like forever since life was normal.

Ryan continues to progress each day and we are more encouraged each day. He continues to show us signs every moment of everyday.

Tomorrow, I will return to our normal blog schedule and pick up where we left off with quarterbacks week. Today for the blog I thought I would give you an idea of how Clemson has been so supportive to Ryan and our family.

One of the most amazing aspects of this entire story is the support of people from across the world. We have heard from England, Australia, Germany and even our brave men and women in Iraq. Support like this does not know anything about race, sex or age. We have had prayers from all walks of life. Gamecocks and Tigers have bonded in support of Ryan. Prayer lists from almost every state in the union have graced us.

However, because this is a Clemson blog on a Clemson website I think it is appropriate to tell you a few of the stories from the Clemson side of things. There is not enough space here to tell about each person that has touched our lives over the past two weeks.

Clemson has been here every since we walked into the door of the emergency room two ago today. The first visitor was Clemson graduate and family friend Ellen Breazel. Clemson has been here from the University President to faculty, staff, graduates, student and Clemson fans.

The vice-president of the university came by after the first day or two and brought Ryan a Clemson blanket and a card that said, 'Clemson has you covered.' He was right.

Coach Bowden has called four times to check on Ryan's progress. His secretary's husband, Jim Douglass, has been by several times and keeps the staff updated.

Coach Bowden's entire staff has called and texted so many times it is amazing. Hardly a day goes by that we don't hear from Rob Spence, Dabo Swinney, David Blackwell, Billy Napier, Ron West, Brad Scott or Vic Koenning.

Clemson football directors of football operations, Andy Johnston and Don Hymel, have continued to call and text.

Clemson's sports information office has been special to me for years and it was nice to see Tim Bourret and Sam Blackman as visitors.

I have always maintained that Jeff Davis is the most valuable player in Clemson football history but he became more valuable as a friend when he brought by his wife and one of his daughters to help us. Jeff shared his latest sermon from the book of Romans.

Clemson staff and our family friends Frank Gentry and Dave Sharpe stop by often. Clemson faculty and family friends Bob Brookover and his wife are visitors. Clemson employees like CAT bus driver Richard Riendeau have been great to us.

The Walker Course guys like Ronnie Barnett and Brent Jessup come by and spread a little joy.

Former Clemson employees like Jim Davis are always stopping by or calling.

Our daughter is a senior communications major at Clemson and Stephanie's friends who are current Clemson students add a little youthful enthusiasm to the room.

Speaking of the room, A Tiger Rag is on the wall. It was given to us by the IPTAY office and it was signed by all of the employees in IPTAY. Bert Henderson and Bob and Robin Mahoney have made things easier with their visits and words of encouragement.

If Clemson has as many fans show up at Death Valley as we have had here the last two weeks then the new ticket policy will be a success.

I have heard Clemson broadcasters like Pete Yanity, Don Munson, Dan Scott and Will Merritt on the radio for years but their voices sound a little different each time they come by in support of Ryan and our family.

No one's voice is quite as comforting as Clemson team physician Dr. Byron Harder so it was so great to see him come by for a visit. Former Clemson athletes like his son Bill Harder stop by or call every day. Former Clemson player and coach Billy Ware always adds some positives to any conversation.

I knew Clemson's athletic department was in good hands in the past when Bobby Robinson was in charge and will be in the future when hopefully Bill D'Andrea takes over but Ryan was in good hands the day both stopped by. This morning we got a card from Terry Don Phillips.

Local businesses have been there for us. Candice from the Esso Club sent Ryan a hat and Mac and Pat from Mac's Drive In have sent two meals already. Cheeseburgers have never tasted so good! The guys at Mr. Knickerbockers have been great. Our postman, Joe, was kind enough to cut our grass.

Clemson graduates Bozzie Boggs has looked after our legal interest and Brad Hughes has given insurance advice.

The phone calls, e-mails and text messages are in the hundreds from Clemson folks. Clemson websites like Tigernet, Clemson Illustrated and CUTigers have all sent encouraging words.

Our personal friends who live or work in Clemson like Terry Long, Lane Miller, Tim Brady, Tom Winkopp, Hook Bruner, Al and Ann Whitley, Jon Christianson, Roy Welsh, Mason King, Brody Smith and so many others have been so inspirational.

Our Greenville friends with Clemson connections like Sanford and Heather Ware, Eric and Ellen Breazel and John Stillwell have been Godsends.

I started out this blog not wanting to name any specific names because I knew there would be a few I would forget. Please forgive me if you are one of the many Tigers that I have left out of this list just off of the top of my head and goodness knows my memory is shot after two weeks of not leaving this hospital. But to everyone who has been in support of Ryan we are forever indebted. For all of you who have prayed we will never be able to repay you.

Ryan is getting better every day and Clemson has been a major part of that. My wife did not grow up here and had never been to Clemson before she met me but after seeing the Clemson community support us the way it has, she told me last week that she is starting to see what people mean when they say, 'There is Something in These Hills.'

We want to thank everyone who has sent prayers and support. It is so nice to see Tigers, Gamecocks, Mountaineers, Bulldogs, Lions and Tar Heels coming together. We also want to tell you how much the power of prayer has helped and lastly, we want to ask for continued prayer for Ryan and his long recovery.

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