Football team draws inspiration from former teammate

By Tim Ericksen
Jounalism Advisor

October 7, 2016

Every high school football team in the United States does this every time they meet. The tradition unifies the team and symbolizes a group of individuals with one goal. Sweat-soaked young men gather as a group and in unison shout at the top of their lungs words like “Pride” or “Team.” The Buhach Colony Thunder football team shouts “David!!!”
This year’s 3-3 varsity football team is using a fallen teammates’ life as motivation. Former BC Student David Giron was tragically killed in an automobile accident 3 years ago in Texas during winter break. Giron played on the football team as a freshman and was a tight end/defensive end.
This year’s football team is honoring Giron with wrist bands with his name as well as the saying “Team comes first” written on them.

Senior football players Pardeep Dhillon and Alex Andrade display
David Giron’s jersey. Photo by Tim Ericksen

Head Coach Kevin Navarra states that, “David was a kid that always attacked life head-on and we, as a football team, are using his life as inspiration.” The biblical story of David and Goliath is also part of the inspirational message. Just as the diminutive David killed the giant Goliath back in the Old Testament, the football team, 3-7 last year, has already matched that win total with a 1-1 league, 3-3 record.
Senior Fly back Alex Andrade was a close friend of Girons and fondly reminisces “David worked extremely hard even though he didn’t start. It didn’t matter how big the guy was that he lined up against, he gave it all he had.” David’s influence is further

Every varsity football player and coach wears the “David” band as a sign of unity. Photo by Tim Ericksen

seen on game days. The first two captains carry his jersey on the field during warmups. The jersey then makes its way out to the pre-game coin flip. Even during the game, an injured or reserve player will always be carrying the jersey on the sidelines
Senior running back Pardeep Dhillon was introspective in his thoughts about Giron. “David was a quiet guy. Not the kind of person that you’d expect to influence a football team and maybe even the whole school, but he has. I am honored to have known him.”