Matthew328
10-22-2003, 07:43 AM
everman player remembered for 'a heart made of gold'
Family and friends honor Craig Boatwright four days after his death
11:44 PM CDT on Monday, October 20, 2003
By KYLE NAGEL / The Dallas Morning News
everman – Omarion Bradford remembers his last words with Craig Boatwright well.
"I remember him saying he was happy that he was almost finished," Bradford, Boatwright's football teammate, said from everman's auditorium stage. "I don't know why, but I said, 'I love you.' He said he loved me too. I now realize he wasn't just finished with the running, he was finished with his journey of life."
Boatwright, an everman senior defensive end and tight end, collapsed while running on the school's track Thursday and died. It was the last of 12 days of disciplinary conditioning sessions on the track.
The Tarrant County medical examiner's office said a congenital heart condition caused his death.
Family, friends and community members packed the school auditorium Monday to honor Boatwright at his funeral. School dismissed at 1 p.m. so students could attend the 2 p.m. funeral.
On the stage, Boatwright's letter jacket was draped over the closed end of his casket. Attendees moved across the stage to pay their respects before two men closed the casket and the service began.
Four coaches and two players spoke about Boatwright's character from a podium with Boatwright's football team picture on the front. Assistant coach Dale Matlock said that when everman's Corey Fulbright, a 2003 graduate, was paralyzed from the neck down after making a hit in the Class 3A, Division I title game last season, Boatwright wanted to help.
At a school benefit, Boatwright gave up his 2002 state championship ring for auction.
"Even though they're telling us his heart was injured, those of us who knew him know he had a huge heart," tight ends coach Erik McGuffin said. "He had a heart made of gold.
"He was carefree and happy that morning," McGuffin said, referring to last Thursday. "He was not aware of any problem and did not suffer in any way."
At the end of the hour 15-minute ceremony, Boatwright's girlfriend, Crystal Moreno, recalled that on the night before Boatwright's death, he had asked her to sing to him. She couldn't because of a sore throat, but he made her promise she would soon.
"I always keep my promises," she said.
She turned to the coffin and sang the Jessica Andrews song "Never Be Forgotten." When she finished, she paused.
"I love you, Craig," she said.
E-mail knagel@dallasnews.com
Family and friends honor Craig Boatwright four days after his death
11:44 PM CDT on Monday, October 20, 2003
By KYLE NAGEL / The Dallas Morning News
everman – Omarion Bradford remembers his last words with Craig Boatwright well.
"I remember him saying he was happy that he was almost finished," Bradford, Boatwright's football teammate, said from everman's auditorium stage. "I don't know why, but I said, 'I love you.' He said he loved me too. I now realize he wasn't just finished with the running, he was finished with his journey of life."
Boatwright, an everman senior defensive end and tight end, collapsed while running on the school's track Thursday and died. It was the last of 12 days of disciplinary conditioning sessions on the track.
The Tarrant County medical examiner's office said a congenital heart condition caused his death.
Family, friends and community members packed the school auditorium Monday to honor Boatwright at his funeral. School dismissed at 1 p.m. so students could attend the 2 p.m. funeral.
On the stage, Boatwright's letter jacket was draped over the closed end of his casket. Attendees moved across the stage to pay their respects before two men closed the casket and the service began.
Four coaches and two players spoke about Boatwright's character from a podium with Boatwright's football team picture on the front. Assistant coach Dale Matlock said that when everman's Corey Fulbright, a 2003 graduate, was paralyzed from the neck down after making a hit in the Class 3A, Division I title game last season, Boatwright wanted to help.
At a school benefit, Boatwright gave up his 2002 state championship ring for auction.
"Even though they're telling us his heart was injured, those of us who knew him know he had a huge heart," tight ends coach Erik McGuffin said. "He had a heart made of gold.
"He was carefree and happy that morning," McGuffin said, referring to last Thursday. "He was not aware of any problem and did not suffer in any way."
At the end of the hour 15-minute ceremony, Boatwright's girlfriend, Crystal Moreno, recalled that on the night before Boatwright's death, he had asked her to sing to him. She couldn't because of a sore throat, but he made her promise she would soon.
"I always keep my promises," she said.
She turned to the coffin and sang the Jessica Andrews song "Never Be Forgotten." When she finished, she paused.
"I love you, Craig," she said.
E-mail knagel@dallasnews.com