122 Comments
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Drew's avatar

What you guys do for those kids is a thousand times more important than any conference mergers, football playoffs, or NBA drama could ever be. It’s nice to know there are good people out there helping others.

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John Canzano's avatar

Thanks man. It's really all Ben and Todd and the volunteers. Im in awe of it.

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ElderBeav's avatar

Amen, Drew...

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Kent Crawford's avatar

Well said Drew!

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David Frei's avatar

Beautiful. Yet again.

Why doesn’t it surprise me that you have a brother doing great things for kids and people, bringing someone like Todd Jacobs along with him?

You: "I write a sports column and host a radio show. Those guys are making better human beings.”

Yes, those guys are indeed special But don’t underestimate what you do. Every time you write about real people in your world (family, sports, friends, connections), you inspire them further and encourage others to jump in and change lives, too …

"Making better human beings.” God bless them for what they do. And thank you, John, for sharing them with us.

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John Canzano's avatar

Thank you David.

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Damian Cooper's avatar

Damn it John! Seriously... I'm sitting in a Salem restaurant grabbing a bite amongst a hoard of triathletes (Ironman in Salem) with tears in my eyes looking for cover as the owner and staff know me well you made me well up.

I've told you before sometimes your writing amazes me on it's impact. Today I've been struggling as my dad's in the hospital with some serious health issues. I'm "the brother" that takes care of all that stuff" . Yesterday wiped me out and took me back to a dark place where I kind of soldiered through my mom's end of dementia and life journey a year ago. I was pretty upset one brother was out of town and one wasn't stepping up to help. I was trying to show grace but was losing the battle. You just reminded me of the way. Thank you..

Another big brother with tears in his eyes.

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John Canzano's avatar

Thanks Damian.

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Nelson Zarfas's avatar

Hey Damian! Sorry to hear this about your mom and dad. I’ve also done similar things the past 8 months. Hope you’re doing well!

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Ed S.'s avatar

This might be the best Canzano piece Ive read---for a lot of reasons. Beside your talent for wordsmithing, you are as selfless a writer as anyone Ive seen. Its the reason why you win awards and a loyal following. We appreciate and value the inside work you do In sports, but pìeces like this are invaluable to us. Thanks, John.

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John Canzano's avatar

Thanks Ed.

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Tom's Blog's avatar

May sound kind of corny, but while reading today's column the 1969 Hollies song "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" came to mind. Thank you so much for sharing your "Brotherly Love" story.

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John Canzano's avatar

Nice. Thanks Tom. Means a lot that you -- and so many others -- are here.

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David Gulickson's avatar

My younger brother left us in 2018

Live in the day, people

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Julie Pratt's avatar

Yes. My older brother passed in 2021. He taught me how to drive, rescued me later when I ran out of gas & I chose him to give me away @ my wedding. I miss him so much.

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John Canzano's avatar

That is so touching... thanks Julie.

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John Canzano's avatar

Well put

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Scott L.'s avatar

That’s a darn good article!

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AZJT's avatar

Harper Lee gave us Jem and Scout Finch, who learned the world around them together. Dostoevsky provided the Karamazov brothers. Catcher in the Rye gave us the gift of Holden and Phoebe Caulfield

And we have John Canzano!

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John Canzano's avatar

Thank you Scott.

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Scott L.'s avatar

No, thank you. It’s reminds me of time with my own siblings. Keep it up.

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Gary Schreiber's avatar

Another great column. Although I love your sports related columns, your columns about your family and the other people you write about are what makes all your work so good.

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John Canzano's avatar

Thanks Gary

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John Schreiber's avatar

Well said "brother" Gary!

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Todd M's avatar

It really goes to show there are still great people out there and the human spirit is alive and well. Thanks John.

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John Canzano's avatar

Thanks Todd.

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Betty Marshall's avatar

Cherish your siblings! So many times we drift apart, especially in these times and conflicts. John’s message reenforces the importance of family and the relationships we should revere and nurture. Keep the love or find it if it’s been buried.

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John Canzano's avatar

Thanks Betty.

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Betty Marshall's avatar

And THANK YOU—I so enjoy your human interest stories: candy for the soul💕

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Martha Guise's avatar

Thanks for this special piece honoring your brother, his work, and brotherhood. It spoke to me. I am the oldest of four, and I still feel that pull to look out for my brothers and sister--"tie it down"--it's just a part of being the oldest and loving them, being proud of them, and awed by the people they have become. Aren't we lucky?

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John Canzano's avatar

I just checked on him... he's halfway through the drive... blanket is in good shape.

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Donna  Mason's avatar

Absolutely beautiful in every way. Written with love.

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John Canzano's avatar

Thank you, Donna.

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Kenneth  LaDue's avatar

Nice column today, Mr. C. Family makes some great memories. Thanks for sharing yours with us

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John Canzano's avatar

Thanks K

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Cindee Robertson's avatar

Beautiful! My bro is the youngest of four of us, three girls and a boy. He’s five years my junior. We ran wild in the good days in Pendleton and only had to be home when street lights came on. He had four moms growing up with three sisters and a mom always telling him what to do. He turned 71 last week, and somehow he turned out pretty swell❤️.

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John Canzano's avatar

Thanks for this.

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Dennis Miller's avatar

Your brother and you are both heroes to me. I’m ten years older than my brother and I mistreated him a lot. Some years later I apologized but I always regret our somewhat broken relationship. My children and grandchildren are all great together and I so appreciate that. Good stuff John.

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John Canzano's avatar

Thanks for this Dennis.

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chris oleary's avatar

Nice column!

Five year difference, you hug your angry little brother. Two year difference, you go at it like cats and dogs!

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John Canzano's avatar

Well said.

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