59 Comments
User's avatar
JFB's avatar

These kind of stories are why I subscribe to John Canzono.

Expand full comment
John Canzano's avatar

Thank you.

Expand full comment
Keith Dickey's avatar

There is a rhythm to life. Christmas, New Years, Easter, school ends, Summer, school starts. And if you are a college football fan in the PNW it continues, first home game, warm fall games, cooler autumn games, Thanksgiving, Civil War game, Apple Cup game. And then it repeats. There has been a disturbance in the force.

Expand full comment
Jerry Goodman's avatar

I am always surprised on how or when you report these powerful stories that reveal your heart!

Expand full comment
John Canzano's avatar

These stories are all around us -- think it's important to tell them.

Expand full comment
Gregg Hersholt's avatar

John - This is a perfect example of why I love your work so much. You found a deeply human story that revolved around sports and told it beautifully. I salute you.

Expand full comment
John Canzano's avatar

Thank you Gregg. Appreciate that you are here.

Expand full comment
Clyde Carrick's avatar

Great column.

Expand full comment
John Canzano's avatar

Thank you.

Expand full comment
509 Guy's avatar

This is why as a player you always give 100 percent effort on every play. You never know who is watching out there, how much you inspire them, and what their story is. Go Cougs!

Expand full comment
Rich Austin's avatar

No one better than JC! Another home run story from the best in the business!

Expand full comment
Chris Davidson's avatar

You did it again, tears in my eyes as the day closes 😢

Expand full comment
John Canzano's avatar

Thanks Chris.

Expand full comment
Gary Bisbee's avatar

Nice follow-up to last years story John. Those kind of stories are your best.

Expand full comment
Daniel P.'s avatar

Another great story! Happy to hear the parking lot sold out last week, and he got to spend some special time with his dad.

Expand full comment
Paul Webster's avatar

As a new subscriber.

Thank you for your articles. It is a gifted writer that can cover games that have facets that touch on every emotion between love and hate. The highest complement I can give is to subscribe to your newsletter.

Paul webster

Expand full comment
John Canzano's avatar

Thanks Paul. Really. Appreciate this.

Expand full comment
Matt L.'s avatar

Props to WSU… they proved me wrong!

Expand full comment
The Miami Ute's avatar

Matt L. You're a class act. God bless you. Never change...

Expand full comment
Edward Franks's avatar

That photo looked almost exactly like the last one I had with my Dad in a memory care facility. He neglected his business to start coaching me in baseball when I was ten, the only way to keep me in the lower league with my peer group. He knew nothing about the sport but thought it was a bad Idea for me to sit on the bench with older kids just because I was a little better than my age group. So he went to the library and learned all about baseball, and pitching in particular. He coached me every summer after that through high school, and I got D1 scholarship because of his sacrifice. Dads matter, alot.

Expand full comment
David Gulickson's avatar

AwesomeWords, John

Re: Cougar win

Well, 16 penalties don’t win many games & Washington reinforced that truth - not to mention a horrid play call to end our last drive

Jedd’s got a lot of work to do - I think he will make it happen

GO DAWGS

Expand full comment
Mike H's avatar

Thanks for a very heartwarming story. I just returned home to Phoenix from a two day trip to Pullman. My wife and I met here in 1973 and we have been together ever since. We have lived several places since leaving, including Phoenix for 42 years, but when we return to WSU Pullman we always feel like we are back home. A few years ago we were making plans for our final arrangements. Without children we need to plan. Arizona? Alaska? Washington? We both decided Pullman, where we met and began our life journey will be our final resting place. We are now at the point we also wonder how many Apple Cups or other WSU visits we have left. We are at that age. In walking around campus we know much has changed. But much hasn't. There are still familiar campus landmarks, expansion has been handled with dignity and today's students seem as imbued by that sense of being part of something very special as did we and those came before us.

Best wishes to our fellow Cougs Matthew and Joel. Godspeed.

Expand full comment
Matt McNelly's avatar

I pray that you and your wife have many, many years ahead on your earthly sojourn Mike. Come and say hi sometime when you are back in town. Would be a joy to meet you. We are right across the street from Beasley and Streit-Perham on Stadium Way.

Expand full comment
Mike H's avatar

Thank you Matt. Our nephew, his wife and three girls live in Pullman now, so we have one more reason to visit. Thank you for the invitation. You can count on a visit!

Expand full comment
Todd M's avatar

Great follow up to yesterday’s Civil War story. Cheers to the McNelly family!!!

Expand full comment