Sharing Stroughter’s pain
August 22nd, 2007, 12:07 am · Post a Comment · posted by Dan Zeiger
Sammie Stroughter
Keegan Herring can relate to the anguish of Oregon State receiver Sammie Stroughter, who will reportedly sit out the season due to grief over the deaths of three people — two male family members and OSU assistant coach Jim Gilstrap — close to him.
Herring, an Arizona State running back, is pressing on after death claimed his father, sister, aunt and a friend during the offseason.
“My condolences to him,” Herring said after Tuesday’s practice. “Things happen for a reason, and if he could hear me, I would tell him to keep his head high and find the strength to get through it, just like I am.”
Stroughter is one of the Pac-10’s top players, with 1,270 yards and five touchdowns receiving a year ago. He also returned three punts for scores. The senior has a redshirt year available, and Oregon State coach Mike Riley expects Stroughter to utilize it and return to the Beavers in 2008.
Keegan Herring
Though Herring is still playing, he can understand why Stroughter feels the need to take time off to mourn. Herring’s focus on football was affected during spring and summer workouts — at times, he became so overwhelmed with emotion that he had to go off to the side to cry.
What has helped Herring cope is a support system consisting primarily of his mother, girlfriend and teammates.
“He needs to remember to always find someone to talk to and let his emotions out,” Herring said. “I (kept them in) for too long, and it just built up inside. Talking about it helps, but it’s still not easy, trust me. I’ve gone through hard times with this.”
But if (Stroughter) talks to others and prays about it, I know he’ll come out of this a better person.”
