Plane crash victims' children visit Ole Miss football practice
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OXFORD | Ole Miss returned to the practice field Tuesday morning with a handful of special guests in attendance.
Several of the Oxford children who lost both parents in an airplane crash Sunday morning near Tuscaloosa, Alabama, were at the Rebels’ practice Tuesday. Sarah and John West Perry, Luke Farese were among the children who stayed for the entire practice Tuesday.
Six Oxford residents _ Drs. Jason and Lea Farese, Dr. Michael and Kim Perry and Dr. Austin and Angie Poole _ were killed Sunday when their Piper PA-31 crashed just in a wooded area just short of the runway at Tuscaloosa Regional Airport. The three couples had been attending a dental convention in Orlando and were on their way home when engine troubles forced them to try to make an emergency landing in Tuscaloosa.
Jason Farese reportedly sent out a distress call about 10 minutes before the crash. Flags have been lowered to half-staff throughout Oxford this week.
“Man, the hurt that I feel for those families,” Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze said. “I went home and spent some time with my kids (after the news Sunday). I just can’t imagine. You search for answers, and you’re just at a total loss for words.
“I know the Oxford community, though, because I’ve lived here five years now, and three before. I know that they will rally. I know that we’re going to do our part in helping these young kids have a future that is secure. I know their families will, too. We’re here to help.”
The children went through some drills with the Ole Miss players Tuesday and tried some field goals with the Rebels’ kickers. Freeze played some quarterback, teaming with the children against Ole Miss’ defensive backs.
“We’ve got all those kids here today from those families,” Freeze said. “I see our guys over there hanging out with them right now. Man, it hit home, for sure. One of the young girls is one of my daughter’s good friends. I told our team, ‘You’re not promised another day. What we can do is rise up today and be the best man we can be, whether it’s a football player or just using the platform that God’s given us to make an impact and difference.”
“To seem them smiling put a smile on my face,” Ole Miss defensive back Montrell Custis said. “I feel like they’re part of my family. I feel like we’re bringing them into our family and loving them.”
Cancer patient Madison Manning, who was recently released from Batson Children’s Hospital in Jackson, Miss., after he was told there was nothing more doctors can do, spent the day with the Ole Miss program Sunday. Manning is an Ole Miss fan.
“Our kids did a remarkable job with him, giving him a day that he’ll never forget, hopefully one that brings a smile to his face when he thinks about it,” Freeze said. “We can always look at our problems and our issues that we have going on, but it’s all relative. What’s happened this week, man, we could have it a lot worse.”
