By Desiree Velazquez
& Jack Harvey
Thousands of students, faculty, and parents gathered to celebrate Senior Night, and to honor football player Drew Williams, Div. 469, on Oct. 11.
On Oct. 5 at Gately Stadium, just after the third quarter, Williams walked off the field and collapsed on the sideline. Williams had suffered a seizure and was rushed to the emergency room at Advocate Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn. Williams was then rushed into surgery and now remains in a coma.
The following week students at Lane came together in support of Williams and his family. Several students began tweeting “#PrayforDrew,” which caught the attention of several celebrities, including Chance the Rapper and Matt Forte. Chance tweeted at Williams, “Hey Drew I’m praying for ya! #prayfordrew.” Forte retweeted the “#PrayForDrew” message.
Williams’ sister set up a website for people to contribute to Drew’s medical expenses on GoFundMe.com. After only two days donations reached nearly $20,000. Money came in from all over the country: from Drew’s friends to people that did not even know him.
On Senior Night, Drew’s parents walked onto the field holding hands with Drew’s brother Bryce Williams, Div. 676, who had Drew’s jersey draped over his shoulders.When Drew’s name was introduced, the crowd applauded in support.
“It really felt like there was a piece of Drew with me when I went out there, because that is his number,” Bryce said.
After the seniors were honored, Drew’s parents, Jodi and Chris Williams, took their seats in the parent section.
“We are so blessed, and we know Drew can feel all the love, which makes everyday easier to get through,” Jodi said.
At half time the cheerleaders and dance team performed, but this was not a typical performance. The two groups dedicated their routines to Drew. The cheerleaders wore yellow bows with the number three on them for Drew. The dance team made shirts that read “#3 on the field, #1 in our hearts” on the front. The back read “D.Will 3.”
“We did not want to do something small for Drew,” said Peyton Jovanovic, Div. 450, captain of the Dance Team. “So we made shirts in honor of him to show how much he is respected throughout the school.”
On the east side of the stadium a poster tribute from the girl’s volleyball team spelled out “LT” on each side surrounded by a heart with the number “3” in the center.
The Indians had no trouble beating the Foreman Hornets, 52-14 in the game. After Lane forced a three and out on Foreman’s first possession, Danny Carlson, Div. 477, returned a punt for a touchdown. Carlson held up the #3 in honor of his teammate Drew. Carlson had two more touchdowns that game, each time holding up three fingers in honor of Drew.
“Before the game I told everyone that I would score three times for #3 Drew,” Carlson said.
The Williams family and the rest of Lane awaits Drew’s recovery.
“We had been waiting for senior night, but we know Drew is with us. So it was still special,” Jodi said.
