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Head coach sends championship ring to parents of deceased football player

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Gone but never forgotten.

Nathan Harris, who played defensive back for Troy University, died April 30, 2016 in a motorcycle accident. Harris, who died at 19, was a freshman who made the team as a walk-on.

Harris left quite an impact on his teammates and his coach, Neal Brown. In fact, some two years after Harris’ death, Brown made an incredible gesture it was learned this week, to honor Harris and his family.

The Trojans completed a fantastic year in 2017, going 11-2 to win the Sun Belt Conference. They earned a bid to the New Orleans Bowl and beat North Texas 50-30 at the Super Dome on Dec. 16.

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Brown sent Harris’ parents a championship ring the team won in 2017 by beating North Texas in the 2017 New Orleans Bowl.

In a hand-written note to Harris’ parents, enclosed with the ring, Brown said their son is a big part of the team and deserved it.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BlMvGpBH0wJ/?taken-by=coachblackmon

“Thinking about you all. Nate’s impact is still being felt in our program. I’ve enclosed a championship ring that he earned. You are all very much a part of our football family. God Bless — Neal Brown,” he wrote to the player’s parents.

Brown’s letter was posted by Ben Blackmon, Harris’ former high school coach at Gulf Shores High in Alabama.

Blackmon had spoken very highly of Harris upon learning of his death.

“Everyone in that community loved him because he was such a great kid. He was sincere, genuine, humble, a true servant of the Lord,” Blackmon told AL.com. “He was tough, gritty. He was such a special young man. He lived such a special life. He loved people. He loved Jesus. Of all the players I’ve ever coached, there was never a doubt in my mind that Nathan would be with Jesus one day. He got up every day and read his Bible.”

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At the time of time of Harris’ death, Brown talked about the impact Harris had on the team.

“Nate was a tremendous person and a very caring young man. While his time here at Troy University was brief, his impact was felt by many. He was loved by his teammates and had a positive effect on our team’s culture in a short time,” said Brown, reported Bleacher Report.

What a wonderful gesture by Brown and the Troy University Trojans.

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Dave is a lifelong sports fan who has been writing for The Wildcard since 2017. He has been a writer for more than 20 years for a variety of publications.
Dave has been writing about sports for The Wildcard since 2017. He's been a reporter and editor for over 20 years, covering everything from sports to financial news. In addition to writing for The Wildcard, Dave has covered mutual funds for Pensions and Investments, meetings and conventions, money market funds, personal finance, associations, and he currently covers financial regulations and the energy sector for Macallan Communications. He has won awards for both news and sports reporting.
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