Don't worry, Doug's out there

Last Saturday, one of my oldest friends and connections to our mutual past lost his battle with brain cancer. Doug Pettibon and I had been through the wars of football way back when. Like in real war, there are bonds formed that last forever. To all of us who played with Doug, I want to dedicate these humble words.

I first got to know Doug in the 7th grade. Doug was already by then beginning to show the power and speed in his body that would serve him so well as an athlete for the Nevada Tigers.

He had really strong legs, which was borne out in his speed and quickness. From our earliest years on the field, Doug was always on all of the special teams.

This talent was magnified by his ability to cover punts and kickoffs. Like the really skilled hunter he would become in later life, Doug could draw a bead on an opposing punt or kick off returner. He was exceptionally fast, and had this 6th sense that seemed to just draw him to the ball like a magnet.

The rest of us had to follow strict lanes so we would not get spread out all over the field. Not so for Doug. Coach Shelton and Cotter sent him in a straight line every time right for the ball carrier. Most of the time he got there a lot quicker than the ball carrier was expecting and down they would go, hard!

Doug played as an end on both offense and defense. He was a great blocking tight end. He had a really low center of gravity that allowed him to use his strength and quickness to gain leverage in blocking. He got lower without loosing his balance than any other ball player I think I have even known.

On defense Doug was like an anchor. He was the right defensive end. For several of our games that year I played right defensive tackle just inside of Doug.

Randy Fellows was the linebacker just inside of me, followed by Steve Jadlot at nose tackle. We all played hard, and were a good team, but there was one constant. Doug was that anchor on our right side. No matter what was happening in where we were, we had this sense that everyone outside of us was being taken care of by Doug. He just never seemed to let anything outside of him.

Perhaps the most amazing thing of all about Doug was that he never seemed to get to come out of the game.

He played both offense and defense. He also was on all the special teams. The guy could only get a drink and cool off during a time-out or at half-time.

None of that mattered to Doug. He was not just the anchor of our team on the right, he was a model of quiet perfection as a ball player. Doug never missed a game in 3 years of varsity ball. He never wanted fame or awards. He just wanted to play and be part of the team he loved.

That was the way Doug was as a player and as a person.

I am sure if I asked his wife Sharon and the kids what kind of man he was they would begin to smile with pride from great memories. For Doug was a quiet champion who just loved life and people.

In his later life he was I have been told much the same in his work ethic at 3M. Doug was what we fellows in the fraternity of men know as a "regular guy." One of those men who can work, play, laugh, fish, or just about any endeavor they choose with grace and ease.

There is a reason for that. Doug was at peace with himself. He was a man who knew just what he wanted out of living. Luckily for him he found those treasures while he had the time.

For most of his life he had had good health. He was as I said a real physically well built man. Strong and capable of almost any task.

In his personal life, you needed to look no further than his family. Every time I saw him with his wife Sharon, it just made me feel good. There was this loving strong bond that only a few lucky marriages ever seem to have. It was written all over both their faces.

With his kids and friends, Doug had a difficult time discerning between family and friends. For if you were a good friend you were really a part of Doug's family as far as he was concerned.

A more than 3 weeks ago several of we former players got to see Doug for what was the last time. He had a good day, and he vowed to fight on against the cancer because he wanted to make it to our 40th reunion in July.

Before we left that day we reminded Doug that it was always in the 4th quarter when Chuck Shelton told us the tough get going just when things get the toughest.

Win or loose we were taught to fight the good fight.

Doug fought the good fight, but now he is gone. For those of us who knew this wonderful strong, quiet, friend and athlete, we grieve today. Still someday, I suspect there is another field awaiting all of us. We will once again be 18 and full of strength. Sam will call "52 Gut," and after Doug and John make that big hole, Larry will sprint for pay dirt.

It is a tribute worthy of a warrior like Doug.