James loved being a part of the Valdosta Wildcat football team. The Wildcats retired his number 23 jersey prior to the coin toss of the opening game of the 2011 season against Brooks County. We weren’t expecting it, but it’s funny how God provided some foreshadowing that night. There was zero percent chance of rain and not a cloud in the sky until just before the game. A cloud blew in from nowhere and provided a quick downpour, much like the weather we experienced during the 17-day search for James. It was rainy and dreary every day during the search.
Psalm 46: 10 tells us, “Be still and know that I am God.” The number 23 is an ever present reminder to us of James, and shows up randomly, sometimes infrequently, sometimes frequently, but always right on time. Eight years later Clay Brindger, head coach at Valdosta Middle School, walked up to us just before we began to share at their FCA that morning. He handed us a black number 23 jersey and wanted to let us know they were going to retire the number 23 jersey at Valdosta Middle School in honor of James. We attended their last game of the season, and the team captains carried the white number 23 jersey, which is now displayed at Valdosta Middle School, to the center of the field for the coin toss. James was an honorary captain for the game (which they won). We were so humbled by this act, especially considering James never attended Valdosta Middle School. Psalm 34: 18 reminds us that “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” This verse is so very true and continues to so clearly demonstrate to us God’s presence along this very broken road. The number 23 is almost like a resting place along that broken road and we welcome its presence at each appearance. I returned a bag of apples to Publix last night. The young lady who waited on me refunded me six dollars and twenty-three cents. I put the folding money up, but have kept the change in my pocket as a reminder of God’s goodness along this path. Pocket change may be insignificant and many may shrug it off as coincidence, but we’ve seen through the years how God shows up big when we least expect it.
Coach Brindger called me on Tuesday, August 14. The Wildcats were preparing to leave the next day to drive to Masillon, Ohio to play Washington High School from Masillon, the second winningest high school football team in the nation. Valdosta is first. Coach Brindger said he was part of the team that had travelled up several weeks earlier to scout the area and look for places to stay and eat. They also stopped at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio as they planned to take the team there on the Thursday before the game. Clay said they talked to the curators and explained a little about the significance of the game and the history of Valdosta football, and asked if they would like something from the Valdosta team. The Hall of Fame recommended a helmet, which they said could be on display occasionally.
As the team prepared the equipment for the trip, Coach Bringer reminded Coach Shelton about the helmet. Coach Shelton picked up a helmet and gave it to him. Clay said he looked and saw the number on the back of the helmet. 23. Coach Brindger said Jay Rome, James’ good friend and teammate and now a coach at Valdosta, was in the room at the time as well. They both just smiled. Coach Brindger called me later that afternoon to share the story of the helmet and the Hall of Fame. The team presented the helmet to the Hall of Fame that Thursday before the game. I’m not sure how often, if ever, the helmet will be displayed there, but I think it's great that a piece of the Valdosta High School tradition and history is at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. From a personal standpoint, I marvel at how God works through a number, sometimes in small ways and sometimes in ways beyond our imagination, and continues to allow us to share James’ story and legacy. James loved being a part of the Wildcat football team, but as much as it was a part of him and his story, it wasn’t where his identity was. He described himself with the following words on Facebook: “Eunice, Eundawg, Uni. Many of my names, but my favorite is Follower of Christ. I've messed up a lot in my life, but God is teaching me lessons from every valley He walks me through. I love Jesus, and that's who I'm living for :) I'm a 17-year old senior at VHS, and can't wait to see what the future holds. 2K11 represent!”
I’m grateful for a God who continues to represent and sends reminders, big and small, that He is with us on this journey. Grateful for the story James left and grateful for people like Coach Clay Brindger. James #23 continues to be listed on the Valdosta High School roster as retired. His name is listed at the University of Georgia along with others from Valdosta who played at UGA. A Valdosta Wildcat football helmet with the number 23 is now at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. God really does do His best work through ordinary.