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