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The first week of play in Kansas marked the beginning of another season. This season was different for one team and for the entire football community of the Kansas City Metro.

Blue Valley coach Eric Driskell passed away in February from a ruptured brain aneurysm at the age of 43. To honor and remember him coaching staffs across the Metro and throughout Kansas and Missouri are wearing t-shirts with the Blue Valley logo and Driskell’s saying “Live Like Champions.”

Greater Kansas City Football Coaches Association President Sam Knopik said it is a great way to remember what Eric stood for and did for his family, players and high school football.

“Eric's theme for his teams to Live Like a Champion resonates with us as coaches who knew him because that's how he coached and how he lived his own life,” Knopik said. “Eric's players, Eric's wife, his children and family knew he was the best version of himself at home, in the classroom, on the field, and at church. He walked the talk. Opposing coaches wearing his motto together this season is a testament to our respect and appreciation for Eric and his purpose in coaching.”

The list of coaching staffs wearing the shirt is long and from far away places. Shirts have been shipped to New York and Japan along with many locations in Kansa and Missouri

In another honor, the Kansas City Chiefs renamed their coach of the year award the Eric Driskell Coach of the Year Award. Driskell won the honor three times in seven years and he was honored before the Chiefs final preseason game Thursday at Arrowhead.

Below is a list of some of the schools wearing the shirts tonight. You can also still purchase shirts to help the Driskell family at this website. https://form.jotform.com/design4sports/coachd

Augusta

Barber County North in Medicine Lodge, KS

Bishop Miege

Center

Derby

Douglass

Eisenhower

Goddard

Hugoton High

Humboldt

Jefferson County North

Kaw Valley

Labette County

Leavenworth

McPherson

Mill Valley

Norhteast High in Arma

North Ottawa

Olathe East

Olathe North

Ottawa High

Piper High

Riverside

Rock Creek

Rossville

Scott Community

Shawnee Heights

Shawnee Mission North

Shawnee Mission South

South Hutchison Nickerson High

Spring Hill High

St Mary’s

St. James Academy

Tonganoxie

Trinity Academy

Trinity Catholic

Wabaunsee High School

Wamego

Wamego High

Ward High

Wichita Northwest