By now, we all know the story well. On September 25, 2013, Jake West, a junior at La Porte High School died on the field during football practice in the presence of his coaches and teammates as a result of an undetected heart condition. Friends gathered at the hospital, in homes, and in classrooms and deeply mourned the loss of their friend for weeks. Somehow, we all knew this tragedy was different. Somehow we all knew this loss would be felt deep, far and wide by many. And it was. A family was devastated. A school was rocked. A football team was heart-broken. And an entire community was shaken to its core.
Yet in a matter of days, something began to stir that was felt as deeply as our pain. Support for Jake's family, school and community began to poor in from other schools, football teams and entire communities. Through that support, the La Porte Community came together, united as one and we began to heal. We rallied around Jake's family, our football team and our students as our community, bonded through tragedy, began to experience a unity of the human spirit rarely seen. The feeling that something positive was occurring in our community from Jake's death was undeniable and it changed us. It healed us. It unified us. The story of Jake West transcended his death and this young man brought an entire community together. And the football season ended.
No one knew what would happen when the 2014 La Porte football season began. How would a group of young men who experienced such adversity and loss return to the field to start a new season? How would they respond to the tragedy they experienced? How could they possiby overcome such deep pain? For those of us who have "been around the block" a few times, we know that with life comes adversity. No one escapes the pain of loss. The simple act of returning to the field and "playing for Jake" would itself have been a monumental achievement for a group of young men who had experienced adversity at its deepest level. And the season, for the most part, looked just like that.
Then something happened within this group of young men. As the regular schedule began to wind down, a spark was lit. There was another stirring that was started within the football team. They could feel it. We could feel it. There's no doubt that Jake had something to do with that. There was a sense that this team was destined for more; something bigger than themselves. With flags flying Jake's number 26 and chants of "play for Jake," this team began a winning streak no one saw coming that has landed them in the Indiana state finals.
With adversity comes opportunity. We can choose to be crushed by adversity or we can choose to rise up, overcome, and become more. That is not easy even for seasoned veterans of life. Yet we are watching a group of young men who have found the courage and strength to do just that. This football team came together, loved each other and as a unified group looked into the deepest, darkest pit of adversity, stood up to it and won. Regardless of the final score this weekend in Indianapolis, the greatest battle for these young men has already been won. And once again, the La Porte Community has been unified. In rallying around this team we are rallying around each other. There is once again a change in our community and a sense of oneness.
Long after the luster of state championships have faded; long after the shine of championship rings have dimmed, there will be things that last for lifetimes. None of us will ever forget how the life and even death of Jake West brought us together. And now, none of us will ever forget how the courage and determination of a group of young men who overcame unspeakable adversity and loss have unified us once again. In a time when lack of unity is attacking us nationwide, may we not take for granted the unity we have in our community. May we guard our unity with diligence. May we be found grateful to the memory of Jake West, his family, and this amazing group of young football players who have shown us the way to live in care and respect for one another. May be we better people. May we be forever changed.