Crazy World... To Say the Least
So, I've been a longtime member of a Yahoo group that we call "The Doormats". Around six years ago, I logged into Yahoo and got into their "College Pick-em" game. Yahoo has message boards that allow you to post comments that everyone can read. I was talking trash and posting about how other teams sucked and K-State was the best. A guy named Goofy (yahoo name obviously) asked me to join their private group. I joined up and have been a member ever since. We participate in numerous "fantasy" sports and it's been a lively, fun group since the beginning.
Five years ago, a guy that was in the group that we called "Noles" was in town on business and we posted back and forth about getting together for a beer. We agreed to meet and a designated watering hole and get drunk together. And that's exactly what we did. He was a damn nice guy. Not a freak or a crazy person... just another sports fan. I realized then that most everyone in that group would probably be just like Noles. Cool guys that love their sports and would be easy to be friends with.
The biggest character in the group has to be "Vols". He's a hoot. Not the brightest bulb in the box, but a fun loving guy. Recently, I've been playing online poker with him. Never met him, but he seems like a great person. So, I'm checking our Doormats fantasy football board and there is a post from Vols... but it's his wife. She posts, "hey guys this is Jo, Vols wife, he has had an accident and is in critical condition at the University of Tennessee hospital. He will not be on here posting for a long while or will not be putting his players in. I will inform you more later but please keep him in your prayers. Thank you."
Honestly, it was much like a gut punch. I was floored. I've never met this guy... but when I read that, I felt like a very close friend was hurt. In a way, he is a very close friend... maybe I just didn't realize it. So, myself and most of the rest of the group have been posting back and forth, sorting it out... and then his wife posts again... "I will keep u guys updated daily. as of this morning his coma has worsend, however the dr. says he will have his good days and bad as days go by. He had his 4th cat scan done this early morning, and i will not know the results until this afernoon. There is still beeding in and out of his brain. just alot of trauma and swelling to his head, we're waiting for all of this to subside, in cases like that ...this also takes time. Thanks guys".
Basically, here's what happened, as told to me by his wife... "I did talk to her, yes. I thought about the family and such trying to get in touch with her, but assumed most family would be there and aware of the situation already. So, to sum up the accident... Vols was leaving the UT game on Sat. night. Him and some friends had parked behind a frat house at the bottom of a hill. The frat guys were having a "tub race" (racing in big tubs down a very large and steep hill). Vols and friends at bottom of said hill, not knowing said race is going on. Vols gets nailed by a tub racer as the tub and it's occupant go flying down the hill and into the parking lot. Vols sees tub at last second and tries to jump out of the way. Tub clips him and flips him in the air and he lands head first on the concrete. Vols in shock, stops breathing, massive head and brain injuries. He is currently in a coma and in serious condition. This is one of those accidents... if nobody had been hurt or if he'd have just had been hit and gotten a broken leg or something... we'd all be giving him hell. As it is, you want to laugh at the stupidity of the accident and what led up to it, but because of the severity, it's just not funny. Amazing the stupid shit that can happen."
The Doormat Football League is a "pay" league. We all (14 of us) put in $25 and winner gets most of it, 2nd gets some. It was suggested we forfeit the money and donate it to the "Vols fund" for Vols and his wife. Most everyone jumped on board with this. Then, another member of the group bought a domain name and is creating a website... www.getwellvols.com. It will have a link to donate money to Vols and his family. That money will go to Goofy's account and he will send it on to Vols.
Basically, a group of people that have never met in person are coming together like a family to help one of our own.
Some examples:
Ok...by: Fenian's _Ballers
Oct 11 10:33am
We find the Fraternity that was Tub Racing and go beat the shit out of them..... That is some fucked up stuff..... I know the sentiment has been said in the past but I will reiterate..... For the last few years, about 4-5 somewhere around there, I have been in constant contact thorugh different leagues with all of you gerbil molesters...While my wife cannot understand what a DOORMAT is or why I keep coming to these rooms.... I do not have the guts to tell her it is to hear about Vols eatting roadkill stew, Deko bragging about Asian Titties or Goof and his psycho ex neighbor.... Bottom line, it is a release and I know that despite the differences, we could drink together without killing one another.... This has been a fucked up year, with Pill getting blown by Katrina, BKB losing his mother and now VOLS.....Makes you sit back and take stock in what we have. Jo, please remember that you and Brain are in all of our prayers and if there is anything that we can do from the various parts of the Country, please ASK! To the rest of you.....I do call you friends, dispearsed and scattered....but friends none the less.... There......Been meaning to say the for a while."
Just a Questionby: Fenian's _Ballers
Oct 11 10:48am
Anyone know what Fraternity was involved?? I ask because I am still involved with my fraternity, and if it was mine, phone calls can be made and have them help out in some way..... I do not know what but something??
Damn straight: that fraternity better be doing allby: MicroMart
Oct 11 10:49am
they can for the Neas family.
some of us may want to send moreby: bucanators
Oct 11 11:24am
I'd like to donate $50.. so maybe we can setup a seperate fund, either way we will do something.
I honestly have no idea who reads this blog... I doubt more than a couple people even know it exists... but if you come across this blog and read this post, take a minute to think. Maybe take a minute to help. Check out the website... donate a buck. I will be... the rest of the doormats will be... every little bit will help.
*UPDATE - 10/18/2005 @ 10:43 A.M. - After two weeks, Brian came out of the coma this morning. He is responding to voice commands (wiggle your fingers, raise your hand) and even gave his wife a hug. No verbal communication yet, but he is coming around. Most of last week was spent fighting Pnumonia (he had 104 temp. and had to be put under a cooling blanket to keep his body temp down) but they think they now have that under control. Everything is looking positive so far, keep the fingers crossed.
Five years ago, a guy that was in the group that we called "Noles" was in town on business and we posted back and forth about getting together for a beer. We agreed to meet and a designated watering hole and get drunk together. And that's exactly what we did. He was a damn nice guy. Not a freak or a crazy person... just another sports fan. I realized then that most everyone in that group would probably be just like Noles. Cool guys that love their sports and would be easy to be friends with.
The biggest character in the group has to be "Vols". He's a hoot. Not the brightest bulb in the box, but a fun loving guy. Recently, I've been playing online poker with him. Never met him, but he seems like a great person. So, I'm checking our Doormats fantasy football board and there is a post from Vols... but it's his wife. She posts, "hey guys this is Jo, Vols wife, he has had an accident and is in critical condition at the University of Tennessee hospital. He will not be on here posting for a long while or will not be putting his players in. I will inform you more later but please keep him in your prayers. Thank you."
Honestly, it was much like a gut punch. I was floored. I've never met this guy... but when I read that, I felt like a very close friend was hurt. In a way, he is a very close friend... maybe I just didn't realize it. So, myself and most of the rest of the group have been posting back and forth, sorting it out... and then his wife posts again... "I will keep u guys updated daily. as of this morning his coma has worsend, however the dr. says he will have his good days and bad as days go by. He had his 4th cat scan done this early morning, and i will not know the results until this afernoon. There is still beeding in and out of his brain. just alot of trauma and swelling to his head, we're waiting for all of this to subside, in cases like that ...this also takes time. Thanks guys".
Basically, here's what happened, as told to me by his wife... "I did talk to her, yes. I thought about the family and such trying to get in touch with her, but assumed most family would be there and aware of the situation already. So, to sum up the accident... Vols was leaving the UT game on Sat. night. Him and some friends had parked behind a frat house at the bottom of a hill. The frat guys were having a "tub race" (racing in big tubs down a very large and steep hill). Vols and friends at bottom of said hill, not knowing said race is going on. Vols gets nailed by a tub racer as the tub and it's occupant go flying down the hill and into the parking lot. Vols sees tub at last second and tries to jump out of the way. Tub clips him and flips him in the air and he lands head first on the concrete. Vols in shock, stops breathing, massive head and brain injuries. He is currently in a coma and in serious condition. This is one of those accidents... if nobody had been hurt or if he'd have just had been hit and gotten a broken leg or something... we'd all be giving him hell. As it is, you want to laugh at the stupidity of the accident and what led up to it, but because of the severity, it's just not funny. Amazing the stupid shit that can happen."
The Doormat Football League is a "pay" league. We all (14 of us) put in $25 and winner gets most of it, 2nd gets some. It was suggested we forfeit the money and donate it to the "Vols fund" for Vols and his wife. Most everyone jumped on board with this. Then, another member of the group bought a domain name and is creating a website... www.getwellvols.com. It will have a link to donate money to Vols and his family. That money will go to Goofy's account and he will send it on to Vols.
Basically, a group of people that have never met in person are coming together like a family to help one of our own.
Some examples:
Ok...by: Fenian's _Ballers
Oct 11 10:33am
We find the Fraternity that was Tub Racing and go beat the shit out of them..... That is some fucked up stuff..... I know the sentiment has been said in the past but I will reiterate..... For the last few years, about 4-5 somewhere around there, I have been in constant contact thorugh different leagues with all of you gerbil molesters...While my wife cannot understand what a DOORMAT is or why I keep coming to these rooms.... I do not have the guts to tell her it is to hear about Vols eatting roadkill stew, Deko bragging about Asian Titties or Goof and his psycho ex neighbor.... Bottom line, it is a release and I know that despite the differences, we could drink together without killing one another.... This has been a fucked up year, with Pill getting blown by Katrina, BKB losing his mother and now VOLS.....Makes you sit back and take stock in what we have. Jo, please remember that you and Brain are in all of our prayers and if there is anything that we can do from the various parts of the Country, please ASK! To the rest of you.....I do call you friends, dispearsed and scattered....but friends none the less.... There......Been meaning to say the for a while."
Just a Questionby: Fenian's _Ballers
Oct 11 10:48am
Anyone know what Fraternity was involved?? I ask because I am still involved with my fraternity, and if it was mine, phone calls can be made and have them help out in some way..... I do not know what but something??
Damn straight: that fraternity better be doing allby: MicroMart
Oct 11 10:49am
they can for the Neas family.
some of us may want to send moreby: bucanators
Oct 11 11:24am
I'd like to donate $50.. so maybe we can setup a seperate fund, either way we will do something.
I honestly have no idea who reads this blog... I doubt more than a couple people even know it exists... but if you come across this blog and read this post, take a minute to think. Maybe take a minute to help. Check out the website... donate a buck. I will be... the rest of the doormats will be... every little bit will help.
*UPDATE - 10/18/2005 @ 10:43 A.M. - After two weeks, Brian came out of the coma this morning. He is responding to voice commands (wiggle your fingers, raise your hand) and even gave his wife a hug. No verbal communication yet, but he is coming around. Most of last week was spent fighting Pnumonia (he had 104 temp. and had to be put under a cooling blanket to keep his body temp down) but they think they now have that under control. Everything is looking positive so far, keep the fingers crossed.
posted by Doug S at
12:18 PM
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