The following tribute to Coach Charles Washington was written by Raytown
South Head Football Coach David Allie and his wife Cathy Allie, Public
Information Officer, Raytown Quality Schools. Coach Washington passed away in
March of 2011 and his family was honored at the Raytown South v. Lee's Summit
game on September 9, 2011. This tribute was read at that game.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please direct your attention to midfield,
where the Raytown South football family is pleased to welcome Mrs. Loretta
Washington and members of her family in order to honor one of our Cardinal
family’s most beloved members, Coach Charles Washington
This past spring, Coach Washington succumbed to complications from
pancreatic cancer after a courageous two-year struggle. It is
not surprising that most people did not know how sick he really was because he
rarely showed it.
Coach loved football from an early age. He knew the game would
change his life and it did, taking him from the heart of Kansas City as a
player at KC Central to the University of Tulsa, where he excelled as a
defensive back. He was drafted by our very own Kansas City Chiefs,
but never played a down in his home town as he was soon traded to the Houston
Oilers. After almost 10 years in the National Football League,
Charles sought to bring his knowledge and experience back home to share with
the next generation of football players. A true student of the game,
he provided a guiding hand to student-athletes at Ruskin High School, and
eventually came to Raytown South and patrolled our sidelines for over a
decade.
Charles
was not only a coach, he was also a father figure for many
student-athletes. His voice resounded like thunder across the
practice field as he led players through drills and encouraged them to compete
to the utmost of their abilities. Coach Washington was
well-qualified to offer his players a critique of their play, but he was also
quick to offer praise and love when they performed to his high standards. The
players who were privileged to know and play for him always knew that Coach
Wash loved them with all his being and they offered that same love back. The
life lessons Charles Washington taught us are among those that will be
remembered always.
Charles was also
well-respected among his peers. They looked at him not only as a
fellow coach but as a true brother as well. His ready smile and
genuine laughter were infectious, and he had a unique ability to unite people
of all ages and from all walks of life. He carried the idea that he
was a blessed man, but rather it was those around him who were truly blessed.
Whether as a player, father of a player, or a coach, Charles Washington’s
immeasurable passion for football was what drove many of us to reach new
heights. The Cardinal Football Family is presenting a Raytown South game
jersey with the number one on it to Mrs. Washington and Coach’s family, and it
is our privilege tonight to honor the memory of Coach Charles Washington; a
Coach, a Father, and a Brother, who will forever and always be number one in
our hearts."
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