I was out of town last week, so I've spent the last couple days catching up on my UGA recruiting happenings (gotta plug one of my favorite sources - Leather Helmet Blog - great work EC). I've been relishing in the wild success of Dawg Night and the perceived failure of Florida's FNL. I've experienced disappointment that Rueben Foster committed to Bama, and the fact that we are likely to lose 3 more highly thought of Peach State prospects soon - rumor is Geno and Dalvin to Bama and Joe Harris to USCe. I've ridden the roller coaster masquerading as Jordan Jenkins recruitment. At one point he's about to pull the trigger to UGA, then he's a Gator-lock, then a big money Bama booster is working him hard to Tuscaloosa, but, oh by the way, he's likely a package deal with his buddy LB Jagger Buggs, or maybe the package is with DT Jay Ellison - when someone figures it out, email me.
Anyway, amidst all this recruiting discussion, through all the preseason prognostication, all the articles and tidbits about Malcolm Mitchell, Isaiah Crowell, Boo Malcome, etc.; in the middle of it all, I see this come through Twitter last night:
That's weird. Wonder what that means, so I log into a favorite fan forum of mine this morning and find out that Kirk Olivadotti`s daughter, Kasyn, has leukemia. Wow. Kasyn is 4 years old, born 7 months after my son, Charlie. This is one of those moments in life where football and recruiting and school allegiances are put in their place. I don't know Kirk or his family, but I do know that no 4 year old child should have to endure what little Kasyn now has on her plate. I can't imagine that Coach Olivadotti will ever read NatesDawgs.com, but I do strongly believe in the power of prayer. And, Coach, you, your family and most especially that little girl of yours are most certainly in my prayers. From one Dawg to another and one father to another, we're pulling for you and regardless of what happens on Saturday afternoons, make sure you lead Kasyn to victory in life.
WHEN FOOTBALL CROSSES INTO REAL LIFE