Three years ago, Barbara Goleman HS (Miami, FL) defensive coordinator John Murillo lost his son, Ricky Quintanilla, to cancer. During Ricky's battle, he would often sit in front of a computer and watch videos of coaches delivering his favorite pregame speech titled "I am a champion" to draw inspiration.
Yesterday, before taking the field, coach Murillo delivered an emotionally charged "I am a champion" speech to his team in memory of his son, and you can tell it came from a special place in his heart. He's made it a tradition after his son's passing, with this being the third year he's done it according to Manny Navarro of the Miami Herald.
This serves as a great reminder of the personal battles we all struggle with off the field and how, as coaches, our team is an extension of our family.
(H/T Manny Navarro)