He is a quarterback with championship aspirations on the field, but Tua Tagovailoa carries himself with a purpose that is bigger than football.
Prior to him leading the University of Alabama to Kyle Field to face Texas A&M, the young man of faith blessed a family in autographing a football and a jersey for its 12-year-old son that tragically lost his life to a gunshot wound in the head.
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John Jones, a native of Phenix City, Ala., was the boy in question and the incident happened on Friday, Oct. 4.
He was pronounced dead on Sunday, Oct. 6 at a hospital in Atlanta, Ga., and for Tagovailoa, Saturday’s showing will be for Jones.
Alabama quarterback gifts family after 12 year old Phenix City, AL boy John Jones tragically died after being shot in the head.
Family says University of Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa signed a jersey and ball that the 12 year old will be buried with … pic.twitter.com/MoQX4Ceb1W
— Parker Branton (@ParkerBranton) October 11, 2019
He will be buried with the football and the signed No. 17 jersey.
A beautiful gesture from an individual who shows that life is bigger than the gridiron game.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
