Estep wasn't paralyzed, but there was still a 50 percent chance the growth might be cancerous. Five days after the operation, he received the good news that the tumor was benign. After nine days in the hospital, he was released. His doctor told him he would be out of school for three to six months, but six weeks later he was back at Hurricane Middle, against the wishes of his physician and principal. It sure puts life in perspective.
Football wins and losses seem so irrelevant.
You find out who your true friends are. I also officiate high school basketball, and people all over the state sent me 111 cards. When football practice started in August with only 11 players returning from last year, the predictions for the season seemed about as discouraging as the coach's earlier prognosis. People thought we'd go 4-4 at the best. This year, we really had to take our lumps.