A SEQUEL OF FAMILY DEVOTION
Publication:
Published: 11/15/1996
Page: P1B
Headline: A SEQUEL OF FAMILY DEVOTION
Byline: CHUCK LANDON
GOODNESS only knows how
many times the faded, yellowed newspaper
clipping has been read.
That's probably why it was
slightly worse for wear, creased and torn
and dog-eared. Sure signs of love, pride and lots of use.
For 21 years, that clipping
had a special spot in Davey and Shirley
Collins' home in Nitro. It was a story about their son, Mike, and the
special relationship he shared with his father, Davey.
But it was more than that. Much more. It was a tribute to the
institution of fatherhood and how glorious it can be when it's done
right.
Mike and Davey did it right.
Davey was the former Nitro High School
star running back who had led
the Kanawha Valley Conference in scoring two straight years (109
points in 1951 and 108 in '52) and Mike was the
follow-in-his-footsteps, leading the 1975 Wildcats in rushing. But it
was the way this son idolized his father that made this story special.
That's why they recently
mailed me the clipping.
That's why I'm retelling
the tale.
That's why I'm writing the
sequel today, exactly 21 years and one week
later.
You see, it has happened
again.
Davey Collins is twice blessed.
After raising a son who
wanted nothing more than to be a star running
back at Nitro just like dad, now Collins is raising a grandson who
wants the very same thing.
Meet Zack Collins, a
chip-off-a-chip-off-an-old block.
"Grandpa Dave is more
of an idol to our grandson than anyone else in
the world,' said Mrs. Collins. "All he wants to
do is be like his
grandpa.'
Zack is certainly off to a
good start. The 6-foot, 190-pound sophomore
running back helped Nitro earn its first playoff berth since 1960 by
leading the Mountain State Athletic Conference Gold Division in
scoring. Besides catching 73 passes for 788 yards and six touchdowns,
he rushed for 480 yards and eight TDs in 80 carries.
And guess who Zack was
emulating?
"I just want to be as
good as my grandpa was,' said Zack, who has
lived with his grandparents since his parents divorced 14 years ago.
"I've looked at his scrapbooks. I know how good he was.'
I could hear the pride in
Zack's voice. It was compelling. This is how
a grandson and his grandpa are supposed to act.
With
love.
That's why Davey never misses one of Zack's games, despite poor health
caused by three open heart surgeries resulting in 10 bypasses. And
that's why Zack has kept a vigil at grandpa's bedside during each
surgery.
"I've been up there at
the hospital with him every time,' said Zack.
"But he never misses a
game. He records them. And, then, we sit in my
bedroom and watch the videotape. He tells me what I'm doing wrong.
He's always telling me to hold onto that football.'
For dear
life, right?
That's certainly
appropriate, considering it's exactly how Davey holds
onto each day with his grandson.
"Dave worships Zack,'
said Mrs. Collins. "At times, I feel the only
thing that keeps him going is watching Zack play ball.'
That is the reason for this
twice-told tale.
It will do Davey Collins' heart good to read this.
And yours, too, I hope.