Freeze interacts with the children of the Farese, Poole and Perry families whose parents were killed in a plane crash on Sunday.
Photo: Collin Brister
Six young children gathered at the north end of Ole Miss’ outdoor practice field on Tuesday morning as the Rebels prepared for their tenth practice of fall camp. Players and coaches alike walked by, smiling and interacting with their practice guests .
The children were six of the 11 that the Poole, Farese and Perry families left behind when their plane crashed just outside of Tuscaloosa, Alabama on Sunday morning, killing all six passengers on board.
“Man, the hurt that I feel for those families. I went home and spent some time with my kids, I just can’t imagine,” Hugh Freeze said. “You search for answers, and you’re at a total loss for words.”
An unthinkable tragedy that’s left the Oxford community hurting, but today, for a couple of hours at least, these kids were able to escape to at least some sense of normalcy. They played seven-on-seven with Freeze, met players and posed for some pictures, the smiles on their faces signifying a refreshing sense of joy in such a dark time.
“I couldn’t even think about life without my parents and for them to go through something like that and then to see them smiling the next day, it just builds a smile to my face. I feel like they are a part of our family,” freshman defensive back Montrell Custis said. “I feel like we can bring them into our family, cause I feel like whatever happened with them, I feel like we can bring them into our family and we can all just love each other and stay together.”
It was a dose of perspective for the team as well as an outlet for a group of children who have undeservingly endured so much.
“That was good for everybody to see these kids, having lost their parents like that, so sudden, and then to be out here catching balls and interacting with players,” sophomore offensive lineman Sean Rawlings said. “We went up after, singing footballs and talking to them and having conversations about them playing baseball. It’s sad and it makes you appreciate life a little bit more and how strong these kids really are to be out here smiling and trying to make the best of the moment.”
The healing process will take some time, but today Ole Miss did their part to help ease the pain of those who needed it most.
“I know the Oxford community though, because I’ve lived here for five years now and three before. I know they will rally. I know that we’re going to do our part in helping these young kids have a future that is secure,” Freeze said. “I know their families will. We’re here to help. We’ve got all these kids here today from those families. I see our guys hanging out with them right now. Man, it hits home for sure.”
