Team

McDonald

Record	Div.	Conf.
8/2	Div. VI	Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference

McDonald senior captains lead the charge as the football team rallies together in the fight against breast cancer

By Jon Moffett

jmoffett@vindy.com

“People who work together will win, whether it be against complex football defenses, or the problems of modern society.”

Vince Lombardi

McDonald

Every now and then, life has a way of showing people just how trivial football can be in the grand scheme of things.

But just as often, players and coaches show how people, even those still in high school, can understand what truly is bigger than the game.

And sometimes, the best stage to show people the difference is a football field.

During the offseason, the mother of a McDonald High football player was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her son, a senior wide receiver for the Blue Devils, learned just how important unity is to the team this week.

In addition to their traditional white, blue and gold, McDonald has added another color to its array tonight: pink.

“We’re going to wear pink gloves, wrist tape, shoelaces, mouthpieces and whatever we can to help support breast cancer awareness,” said senior quarterback Matthias Tayala.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. And Tayala, along with fellow senior captains Chris Humphreys and twin brothers Nick and Justin Rota, came up with the idea to honor their teammate and raise awareness through the act.

“We’ve seen the NFL do it, so we just thought we’d do it too and help out some of our teammates,” Tayala said.

The National Football League and Major League Baseball have had players wear pink equipment for the past few seasons. In addition to raising awareness to breast cancer research, the proceeds from the sale of the equipment go toward cancer research.

The MLB also promotes prostate cancer awareness by wearing light blue equipment on Father’s Day.

But thinking pink has permeated the professional ranks and into the high school arena.

The team ordered the special gear for tonight’s game against Jackson-Milton. And Tod Thorne, of Speed Sport in the village, donated the pink mouthpieces and wrist tape. The idea, the players said, is to help show support for their teammates’ families and everyone dealing with the illness.

“It’s really important because we want to help out and help support our teammates,” Tayala said. “And it feels really good to do it.”

Added running back Nick Rota, “It’s important because we want to show everybody that we care about something other than ourselves.”

According to the American Cancer Society, the chance of a woman being diagnosed with breast cancer is slightly less than one in eight. In 2010 alone, more than 200,000 new cases have been identified. There have been more than 39,000 deaths due to breast cancer this year, the organization said.

“It’s something serious. It’s nothing people should joke about,” Nick Rota said. “It’s something people need to get more into because it’s big.”

Bigger than the team. And bigger than the game.

“We’re a team, and that’s what we’re out there to prove,” said wide receiver Justin Rota. “It’s not all about football. We’re going to show that we’re out there for our community and show that we care.”

Humphreys, an offensive lineman, agreed with that sentiment and elaborated.

“It’s showing everybody in the community that we’re thinking about things other than just football,” he said. “Yeah, we play football, but it’s also for our community in McDonald and everybody helping out everybody else.”

Head coach Dan Williams had no issues with his players looking past the game and focusing on a larger issue. He said it was a noble gesture for the school’s Homecoming festivities.

In fact, the coach was almost moved to tears while discussing the idea.

“It’s very special for me, because I have some great kids who are looking out for the other things in life that are way more important than football,” he said.

Another thing Williams has been proud of is how the team has come together on the idea.

He said many times when a player or team has an idea, there will be several players who unwillingly agree to be a part of it. This time, however, everyone has bought in. And Williams said that proves how his team is one.

Humphreys said it’s no surprise the team has rallied around the idea. After all, that’s exactly what has been happening since he’s been at the school.

“We’re a family; everybody is family on this team, and it’s been like that since my freshman year,” he said. “It’s fantastic. From freshman year up, I’ve known that everybody is here for me if I needed something on or off the field. And it doesn’t matter who it is. We have 50-plus guys on the team every year and we’re always willing to help everyone out. It’s amazing.”

Williams took it one step further. He said in a small town like McDonald, with only a few thousand residents, everyone looks out for everyone else. And neighbors are more likely to watch out for each other.

“In a small-knit community like we have here, everyone knows everyone else,” Williams said. “So anytime we can rally around people or a cause, and show our support for something it’s a good thing.”

Nick Rota said, “Around here, in our community, we all care about each other. It’s a little community, but we all have heart for everyone else.”

It’s a community that Williams has called home for 40 years.

He grew up in McDonald and has raised his family, including son Carson, there. Now a freshman at the high school, Carson is an offensive lineman on the football team. And while his job is to protect his teammates on the field, they are in turn looking out for him.

Carson was diagnosed with a type of lymphoma at age five. He’s been in remission for the past nine years, but Williams said it’s still a scary thing to think about.

So the act by his team, who he said had no idea about his son’s medical history, is even more special to him.

Carson turned 15 in June and is going on his 10th year of being cancer free. But the team and Williams know he’s one of the lucky ones.

“It’s not just about one person,” he said. “There are many people who have had to deal with that in our little town here. There have been people in the school system, the businesses ... And it’s not just breast cancer, it’s the whole cancer thing.”

The community has also bought into the idea. In addition to local businesses like Speed Sport donating equipment, others have donated pink bows for the cheerleaders, and the band will wear pink bandanas for the game.

It’s that kind of showing that keeps Williams in a small-town atmosphere.

“It’s outstanding,” he said. “There is no other place I’d rather be. This is why small-town coaching, and small-town football is important. Being at a bigger school, you may not know all the families. Here, you know everybody.”

Humphreys said it’s important for everyone to join in on the fight against cancer. And no act is too small to matter.

“Even little acts can help out,” he said. “Some things in life are more important. And little things can show you care.”