DJ?s Papa Explains How Football Parallels Life

Randy York N-Sider

Official Blog of the Huskers

Saturday’s Nebraska-Southern Miss football game was Pediatric Brain Cancer Awareness Day. Husker football’s chapter of Uplifting Athletes presented its latest check 20 minutes before kickoff.

The commitment, launched as an ancillary to the Hoffman family foundation to benefit pediatric brain cancer research, also was featured during the second quarter through a public address announcement that included a live shot of Memorial Stadium Sections 19 and 20.

Fifteen pediatric brain cancer patients were sitting in those sections, along with their parents, waving to another sellout crowd’s inspirational support to help fight a disease that Omaha’s Steve Reddick poignantly described and shared with the Huskers following Friday’s final late afternoon workout before Saturday’s non-conference game.  

Ameer Abdullah (left) and Quincy Enunwa flank Steve Reddick and DJ Reddick, his late grandson who died of pediatric brain cancer. 

Reddick's Speech Touches Pierson-El, Reinforces a Life Lesson

Reddick is a proud, loving grandpa who lost DJ Reddick, his little grandson, to the disease. After Friday’s final tune-up, Nebraska Coach Mike Riley and the entire Husker football team took a knee to hear Reddick describe how football parallels life.

“That speech really touched me,” said sophomore De’Mornay Pierson-El, Nebraska’s All-America kick returner and explosive receiver who has been sidelined with an injury. “We go through adversity playing football, but what those kids are going through is a whole different level. We talk about digging deeper on the field, but what they’re going through and trying to conquer is the ultimate battle in life. They’re fighting for another breath.”

After his speech to the team, I shared Pierson-El’s quote with Reddick, who smiled and remembered DJ’s last breath. “I walked into the hospice room when DJ was laying in his dad’s arms, and he took one last deep breath with a sigh of relief,” he recalled.

"Welcome to Heaven, Papa; What Took You So Long?"

A man of faith, Reddick made a vow to the grandson he loved, and still loves, with all his heart. “I live my life so I can see DJ again,” he said. “He was so inspiring and so full of love. When I die, the first person I want to see, besides Jesus, is little DJ. I can close my eyes and hear his voice saying: ‘Welcome to heaven, Papa! What took you so long?”

Reddick cleared his throat and smiled broadly. “I have two choices,” he said. “I can live life in anger and grief or I can live it with love and inspiration. To honor DJ, it was an easy decision. Children are a big part of the game of life, and I wanted to honor DJ every day like Ameer Abdullah and Quincy Enunwa honored him. Those two had a lot on their plates, but took the time to make DJ feel special and loved.”

Reading about Nebraska football’s tender-hearted support for Jack Hoffman, Reddick remembers calling Zimmer on the phone. “My little grandson has pediatric brain cancer,” he remembers telling Zimmer. “He loves the Huskers. I’d like to get him to a game.”

Steve Reddick shows DJ a picture of him with his two favorite football heroes, Quincy Enunwa, left, and Ameer Abdullah.

"Come to Lincoln and You Can Have the Whole Stadium to Yourself"

Reddick can still hear Zimmer’s reassuring voice. “Well, Steve, I can one-up you on that,” he said. “Come to Lincoln sometime this week, and you can have the whole stadium to yourself, and I have a player who would love to have lunch with DJ at the Training Table and show him around.” For a grieving papa who was emotionally beside himself, that statement was transformational. When they arrived at the Osborne Athletic Complex, Reddick couldn’t believe Ameer was the player Zimmer had in mind for TJ.

“The minute they met was like love at first sight for both of them,” he said. “DJ jumped immediately into Ameer’s arms, and I couldn’t get him back the rest of the morning. That day was a memory I will take to my grave. Husker Nation allowed me and my grandson to have our own special moment all by ourselves in that big, storied, beautiful stadium.”

Memorial Stadium Moment Proved That Football Does Parallel Life

That moment proved to Zimmer that football truly does parallel life. In his introduction of Reddick to the team, Zimmer reminded the Huskers of the words that apply jointly to football players and pediatric brain cancer patients…courage, determination, trust, family, care, support, adversity. “That’s what you do every day as a football team, and that’s what kids and families do each and every day battling pediatric brain cancer,” he said.

Mike Riley Gave Steve Reddick an Emotional Hug and Thanked Him

Pierson-El wasn’t the only Husker touched. Every player, coach and staff member listened intently and genuinely appreciated the words they heard. Riley gave Reddick an emotional hug, thanked him and showed his affection for the kids he talked about. Players high-fived the pediatric brain cancer patients, shook their hands and patted them on the back.

Friday was special. The young patients and members of their families ate supper with Husker players and coaches at the same Training Table DJ and his papa enjoyed when they first met the amazing Abdullah. It was a memory they will cherish forever.

 

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