Written by Jeff

Coach Don Meyer, 64 and head basketball coach at Northern State University in South Dakota, was leading a six car caravan of his basketball team and staff to an annual retreat on September 5, 2008. His Prius drifted across the road and, to the horror of the occupants of the other five cars, was hit head on by an 18 wheeler. When the players and staff reached his car it was evident that the Coach was in real trouble. But seconds later his eyes focused and he looked at his assistant coach and wheezed “Is everyone OK?”. Everyone was, except the Coach.

Coach Meyer ranked second in college basketball wins and was only 12 wins behind the leader when the accident happened. His whole life consisted of the team, his wife Carmen of 41 years, 3 children and 8 grandchildren. Carmen always said that she never asked him to rank the importance of each.

Coach was transported via helicopter to Aberdeen, 20 miles away. The ER doctors quickly realized he needed more help than they could give him so they decided to move him to Sioux Falls, 200 miles away. One doctor asked Carmen to spend some time with him before he left as he did not think he would survive the night.

Coach’s left leg was shattered and his main artery severed. His spleen and part of his small intestine had to be removed and his diaphragm reattached. Carmen was told by the surgeon that Coach also had advanced cancer, found during the surgery.

Three leg surgeries later, they decided to amputate the leg below the knee, and Coach was told that he had cancer. He immediately wanted to know what he had to do to get back on the sidelines with his team. Carmen knew then that he would make it.

After two months and eight surgeries, Coach left the hospital and was on the sidelines at practice the next day. Barely able to speak above a whisper, due to his badly bruised lungs, he led practice and has not missed a practice or game since.

Fast forward ten months where Coach was honored by ESPN at their annual ESPY awards. His acceptance speech was littered with laughter and tears. In a room filled with jocks, who usually complain about not having a limo take them home after practice, his speech was numbing.

Coach may not be with us too much longer, but he will always be a True Hero.

A must watch video.


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