Atomic Orange
Junior Member
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2006
- Messages
- 157
- Likes
- 5
Donations for Family of Fallen VOL
- Thread starter cbbowlingmd
- Start date
UTvols#1
Best In The World
- Joined
- Nov 15, 2011
- Messages
- 1,996
- Likes
- 678
How long will we be doing this.I am really broke right now and want to donate but I can Friday.I honestly ran out of gas when I pulled in my drive way. I feel so bad for him.I did call and talked to JBAY and EA show and told them about it.Didnt get to hear all of the show so dont know if they said anything.
VolNation,
We are overwhelmed with the response, and very, very thankful...
This has been the most difficult weekend...
Your prayers are the most important offering and we thank you for them.
Isaac loved the Vols.
Sincerely,
Buddy Lee
UT Class of 1987, B.S. Electrical Engineering
Isaac's Uncle
We are overwhelmed with the response, and very, very thankful...
This has been the most difficult weekend...
Your prayers are the most important offering and we thank you for them.
Isaac loved the Vols.
Sincerely,
Buddy Lee
UT Class of 1987, B.S. Electrical Engineering
Isaac's Uncle
Attachments
TruthIsOutThere
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- May 4, 2010
- Messages
- 565
- Likes
- 56
TruthIsOutThere:
Whether they need the money or not, its the outpouring gestures of goodwill, and sympathy, that are meaninful to them. Perhaps, in some small measure, its helping them cope with this terrible tragedy IF they dont need the money, let them decide what cause to donate it to. Right now the important thing is for them to know they have the support, prayers, and sympathy of the Vol Family.
Whether they need the money or not, its the outpouring gestures of goodwill, and sympathy, that are meaninful to them. Perhaps, in some small measure, its helping them cope with this terrible tragedy IF they dont need the money, let them decide what cause to donate it to. Right now the important thing is for them to know they have the support, prayers, and sympathy of the Vol Family.
108kiloVOLts
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2012
- Messages
- 72
- Likes
- 0
In my humble opinion, the money being raised isn't the point and neither is the circumstances behind the accident. This is a kind gesture from an extended family of VOLS. Deeds of love and kindness are all equal to the great commandments. It is also a way for those of us who want to help but do not know how. It is part of the healing process for all of us.
Speaking from personal experience a mother and father never intend or ever dream of burying their son. It does something good for the soul to see such an outpouring of love from strangers.
It has never been touted before, but because VOL fans are orange blood brothers through and through is the reason why I believe the University of Tennessee has the best 12th man in the country.
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2008
- Messages
- 68,138
- Likes
- 59,792
cbbowlingmd
Doctor of Orange
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2009
- Messages
- 4,734
- Likes
- 1,363
UTvols#1
Best In The World
- Joined
- Nov 15, 2011
- Messages
- 1,996
- Likes
- 678
VolNation,
I was sent this article today about a friend of Isaac's that plays football for Manatee High, which I think is in or near Bradenton, FL. I do not know Blake, but I thought that many of you might be interested in the article. Apparently they televised the game described below on ESPN2 this weekend:
Commentary | A friend's death at Georgia Dome spurs Manatee High's Blake Keller to memorable football performance
Published: September 3, 2012 Updated 17 hours ago
Blake Keller honors friend who tragically lost his life
It was national news when Isaac Grubb fell to his death watching a college football game Friday night at the Georgia Dome.
To Blake Keller, it was personal. His heart was crushed and tears flowed down his cheeks when his mother told him what had happened.
When Keller came to Hawkins Stadium on Sunday for Manatee's football game with Miramar, he wanted to do something special for his close friend.
As one of the Hurricanes' starting defensive linemen, Keller's best chance for a statement would've been a few sacks.
In his eyes, that wouldn't have been enough.
So the 6-foot-2, 222-pound senior did something a national television audience will remember for a lifetime.
Along with his 2½ sacks, Keller blocked two punts and returned the
second one for a touchdown. It helped Manatee break open a close game in the third quarter and send the Canes on to their victory.
It reminds us that despite all the hoopla the Manatee High football program gets, these are just a bunch of kids vulnerable to the pitfalls life can spring on anyone.
It's why Keller is special.
The Manatee defensive lineman played with a broken heart, but you would never know it.
"All I kept thinking was that I had to do something to keep his memory alive," Keller said.
"You have to live life everyday to your full potential because you never know when it will be taken from you. You go hard all the time in his game, and good things will happen."
On his second block, which he picked up and ran for 15 yards for a touchdown, Keller said he hit the ball with his hand -- and it bounced right back to him. Manatee defensive line coach Steve Gulash saw it differently.
"At Saturday's practice, Blake had tears in his eyes," Gulash said. "He told me a good friend of his died. At first, you don't believe it, but then you see it's real. The guys on our unit took those feelings on. They are a close, unique bunch of guys. When he is sad, we are sad.
"I told Blake something would happen today, and you would know your friend was with you. Then he blocks that punt, and the ball bounces right into his chest. You could say it just happened, but you know what? Maybe there was a reason, a sign to Blake that his friend was there, that you don't have to miss him forever."
Though he is one of the key elements of a defensive line considered one of the best in the country, Keller is a humble person. The defensive tackle, who has verbally committed to the University of Central Florida, was even willing to give Grubb the credit for his performance against Miramar.
"Blake took it very hard," said his father, Don Keller. "To try and get closure on it is tough at that age. He is upset. He had Isaac in his thoughts today, and before the game he said he had another guardian angel looking after him. They were good friends. He was my nephew's roommate.
"They live in Tennessee, and we would go up there often when my wife went to visit her parents. They lived across the street."
Gulash said Keller has always been capable of doing what he did against Miramar and that the incident might have driven him beyond any self-imposed limitations, real or imagined.
"This was his first death experience with a close friend, and when the punt was snapped, I got chills. I don't know why, but I felt something was going to happen," Gulash said.
Keller is part of a defensive line that has college coaches salivating. It's where games are won and lost, and the unit kept Manatee in the game in the first half when its offense struggled, managing only two field goals
Mirarmar's high-powered offense was held to six points in the first two quarters and shut out in the second half. Keller had a key sack in the first half stopping the Patriots on a fourth and two.
"We talked before the game and said the whole unit (defensive line) was playing for Blake's friend," Gulash said. "Our goal was to succeed and remember what this guy was about. Blake was sad and still is sad. He had tears in his eyes after the game, but if you don't have emotion you can't play football."
Read more here: Commentary | A friend's death at Georgia Dome spurs Manatee High's Blake Keller to memorable football performance | Manatee | Bradenton Herald[]#storylink=cpy
I hope to get the chance to meet Blake. Thanks again for keeping Isaac's memory alive, and for the prayers.
Sincerely,
Buddy Lee
I was sent this article today about a friend of Isaac's that plays football for Manatee High, which I think is in or near Bradenton, FL. I do not know Blake, but I thought that many of you might be interested in the article. Apparently they televised the game described below on ESPN2 this weekend:
Commentary | A friend's death at Georgia Dome spurs Manatee High's Blake Keller to memorable football performance
Published: September 3, 2012 Updated 17 hours ago
Blake Keller honors friend who tragically lost his life
It was national news when Isaac Grubb fell to his death watching a college football game Friday night at the Georgia Dome.
To Blake Keller, it was personal. His heart was crushed and tears flowed down his cheeks when his mother told him what had happened.
When Keller came to Hawkins Stadium on Sunday for Manatee's football game with Miramar, he wanted to do something special for his close friend.
As one of the Hurricanes' starting defensive linemen, Keller's best chance for a statement would've been a few sacks.
In his eyes, that wouldn't have been enough.
So the 6-foot-2, 222-pound senior did something a national television audience will remember for a lifetime.
Along with his 2½ sacks, Keller blocked two punts and returned the
second one for a touchdown. It helped Manatee break open a close game in the third quarter and send the Canes on to their victory.
It reminds us that despite all the hoopla the Manatee High football program gets, these are just a bunch of kids vulnerable to the pitfalls life can spring on anyone.
It's why Keller is special.
The Manatee defensive lineman played with a broken heart, but you would never know it.
"All I kept thinking was that I had to do something to keep his memory alive," Keller said.
"You have to live life everyday to your full potential because you never know when it will be taken from you. You go hard all the time in his game, and good things will happen."
On his second block, which he picked up and ran for 15 yards for a touchdown, Keller said he hit the ball with his hand -- and it bounced right back to him. Manatee defensive line coach Steve Gulash saw it differently.
"At Saturday's practice, Blake had tears in his eyes," Gulash said. "He told me a good friend of his died. At first, you don't believe it, but then you see it's real. The guys on our unit took those feelings on. They are a close, unique bunch of guys. When he is sad, we are sad.
"I told Blake something would happen today, and you would know your friend was with you. Then he blocks that punt, and the ball bounces right into his chest. You could say it just happened, but you know what? Maybe there was a reason, a sign to Blake that his friend was there, that you don't have to miss him forever."
Though he is one of the key elements of a defensive line considered one of the best in the country, Keller is a humble person. The defensive tackle, who has verbally committed to the University of Central Florida, was even willing to give Grubb the credit for his performance against Miramar.
"Blake took it very hard," said his father, Don Keller. "To try and get closure on it is tough at that age. He is upset. He had Isaac in his thoughts today, and before the game he said he had another guardian angel looking after him. They were good friends. He was my nephew's roommate.
"They live in Tennessee, and we would go up there often when my wife went to visit her parents. They lived across the street."
Gulash said Keller has always been capable of doing what he did against Miramar and that the incident might have driven him beyond any self-imposed limitations, real or imagined.
"This was his first death experience with a close friend, and when the punt was snapped, I got chills. I don't know why, but I felt something was going to happen," Gulash said.
Keller is part of a defensive line that has college coaches salivating. It's where games are won and lost, and the unit kept Manatee in the game in the first half when its offense struggled, managing only two field goals
Mirarmar's high-powered offense was held to six points in the first two quarters and shut out in the second half. Keller had a key sack in the first half stopping the Patriots on a fourth and two.
"We talked before the game and said the whole unit (defensive line) was playing for Blake's friend," Gulash said. "Our goal was to succeed and remember what this guy was about. Blake was sad and still is sad. He had tears in his eyes after the game, but if you don't have emotion you can't play football."
Read more here: Commentary | A friend's death at Georgia Dome spurs Manatee High's Blake Keller to memorable football performance | Manatee | Bradenton Herald[]#storylink=cpy
I hope to get the chance to meet Blake. Thanks again for keeping Isaac's memory alive, and for the prayers.
Sincerely,
Buddy Lee
Attachments
jdbeard
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jun 10, 2010
- Messages
- 575
- Likes
- 68
SandySpringsVol
Member
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2010
- Messages
- 11
- Likes
- 6
This is a fair question and it crossed my mind, too.
FWIW, I donated because tragedies like this ought to bring us together and remind us that there really are (a few) more important things than a handful of Saturdays in autumn. I cannot imagine what that family is going through, but if we can offer the tiniest bit of support through this small gesture, then I'm in.
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2003
- Messages
- 29,185
- Likes
- 6,148
TruthIsOutThere
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- May 4, 2010
- Messages
- 565
- Likes
- 56
Vols1-TN n KY
VFL
- Joined
- Oct 7, 2009
- Messages
- 647
- Likes
- 83
Kingston Vol
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Oct 15, 2009
- Messages
- 26,325
- Likes
- 28,819
smokey_vols
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2009
- Messages
- 276
- Likes
- 345
cbbowlingmd
Doctor of Orange
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2009
- Messages
- 4,734
- Likes
- 1,363
I think this is a good idea. I've done a bit of research and the average cost of a funeral from 2010-present has easily reached $10,000. So, I think we should set that as a goal and anything over that, the family can use in Isaac's memory.
We haven't had much activity since last night, so the total still sits a little over $3000.
I have emailed the Facebook page editors for Saturday Down South, Tennessee Volunteer Athletics as well as the Vol Network. I am waiting on a response. The Tennessee Volunteer Athletics and Saturday Down South pages have hundreds of thousands of subscribers. If we can get them to post the paragraph and link I sent them, we can get there quickly.
I like the idea for Vol Calls and also local news and I'll try to contact them in the next couple of days.
Have a good week VolNation, keep the Grubbs in your prayers and we'll see you at Neyland on Saturday. Go VOLS. :salute:
VOLup2uous
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Sep 6, 2007
- Messages
- 1,074
- Likes
- 47
cbbowlingmd
Doctor of Orange
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2009
- Messages
- 4,734
- Likes
- 1,363
I attended Isaac's memorial service tonight and met his wonderful family.
I wanted to share something. As I was leaving the service, I received the following email from the editor of Saturday Down South, an SEC Blog with over 419,000 followers on Facebook:
"Thanks Dr. Bowling.
I received the email and will put something together this afternoon or tomorrow to publish on the site and run FB page.
Condolences to Isaac's family during this tragic time. We are happy to help in any way we can.
Jon,
Saturday Down South"
Tennessee Volunteer Athletics will also be listing the donation link on their site, which has over 245,000 followers. Additionally, I have contacted the TN Fund and requested a donation. I told the TN Fund director, "Isaac went to Atlanta to support the Vols; now it's time to see the Vols support Isaac." We'll see where it goes, and I'll keep you all up to date. Go Big Orange!
I wanted to share something. As I was leaving the service, I received the following email from the editor of Saturday Down South, an SEC Blog with over 419,000 followers on Facebook:
"Thanks Dr. Bowling.
I received the email and will put something together this afternoon or tomorrow to publish on the site and run FB page.
Condolences to Isaac's family during this tragic time. We are happy to help in any way we can.
Jon,
Saturday Down South"
Tennessee Volunteer Athletics will also be listing the donation link on their site, which has over 245,000 followers. Additionally, I have contacted the TN Fund and requested a donation. I told the TN Fund director, "Isaac went to Atlanta to support the Vols; now it's time to see the Vols support Isaac." We'll see where it goes, and I'll keep you all up to date. Go Big Orange!
VN Store
