They did it all for Jace

Friday’s game against La Grange felt like what the year 2020 has been in a nutshell. Unpredictable pretty much sums up this year, but as adversities come our way, we deal with them the best way we can. This week’s column was supposed to be filled with a happy and joyous vibe. My intent was to tell you how much I enjoyed covering my first Rockdale varsity football game and watching the Tigers earn a great victory. However, it turned into something I never would’ve imagined.

The craziness started at the beginning of the second quarter. Lightning in the area caused the game to be delayed for 30 minutes, however those 30 minutes progressed to over an hour as the game was delayed a second time. During the second delay, I checked my Instagram and read that the actor and Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman had passed away from colon cancer. Another hero and role model had been taken away from us too soon.

When play resumed things got crazier. Towards the end of first half, Quarterback Jace Robinson scrambled as the play broke down. Everyone cheered as it seemed like he’d get into the end zone. Then, Robinson gets tackled, falls and doesn’t get up. As trainers surround him, everyone is trying to figure out what just happened. You could hear a pin drop in the stadium. I saw the training staff pull out a black cast from their kit.

Jace’s right leg was broken in three places.

As the EMT’s and ambulance came out, people began to realize the extent of the injury.

The toughest part was watching Amber Robinson cry as she watched the EMT crew place her son on a stretcher and into the ambulance. Fighting back my own tears, my heart broke for Jace. As I looked around to see everyone’s faces, I could tell the spectators felt the same way I did.

With the game still being close when Jace went down, Coach Campsey huddled up the guys and told them what they needed to hear.

“If you needed any reason to play as hard as you’ve ever played before, now you’ve got one,” Coach Campsey told the team. “Do it for Jace.”

When play resumed, the team did just that as they pummeled La Grange 40-14. I watched guys like Cam’ron Valdez and Kesean Raven put the team on their backs as they refused to be taken down. I watched Kobe Mitchell step up and make enough plays to extend the team’s lead. The defense played harder and forced turnovers for Coach Montalvo to bring out the turnover belt. It felt like a scene out of a football movie.

After the game, I walked to the middle of the field with the rest of the media to speak with Coach Campsey. I could see the hurt and concern in his face. I couldn’t even bring myself to ask him any questions. At that point, it felt like anything I had to ask didn’t matter. For me, it wasn’t about being a journalist. It was about having a heart and letting Campsey get back to his players and family as quick as possible. All I could do was shake his hand and commend him on the team’s efforts.

I am inspired by what I saw from the Rockdale Tigers on Friday night. After witnessing that traumatic injury, everyone could have quit and no one would have blamed them. However, every player decided they would play harder and every coach chose to push harder for their brother Jace. I have never been so proud of a group of young men in my life.

I learned that these young men aren’t just talented on the field, but they are young men with tremendous heart and character. In my book, it didn’t matter what the score was at the end of the game. To see them fight the way they did brought a smile to my face.

T o t h e players and coaches, ever y time you step foot on the field this season, I hope you all think of No.1. Continue to fight for him. Let his injury be the motivation you all need to give it everything you have on every single play.

For Jace Robinson, I have never had so much respect for a high school kid. In the midst of his agony, he pushed through the pain to put two thumbs up in the air signaling to the crowd that he was going to be okay. With so many thoughts going through his head at the time, he still had enough courage to think about his fans and teammates. If that’s not the epitome of being a leader, I don’t know what is.

To the fan base, we must now lift this team up more than ever. We must show them that they have over 5,000-plus people in the Rockdale community who have their backs not just the 31 names listed on the varsity roster.

This team showed me what “Tiger Fight Never Dies” means.

To Jace Robinson, I wish you a speedy recovery. All of your hard work will not go in vain. It’s only a minor setback for a major comeback.