The world lost a great man yesterday

I was heartbroken today to learn that former Johnson County football coach Bill Bonds succombed to his 10-year battle with cancer last night at the age of 49. It's often cliche to say this, but I honestly don't think you would find a finer gentleman than Coach Bonds. He never gave up and continued parting his lessons on the athletes he coached until his last breath. And for all those thousands of athletes, those lessons will stay with them. I never really had the chance to speak much with Coach Bonds. My contact with him was limited to taking messages on the phone from him while working at the Courier Herald in the sports department. But actions speak louder than words, and Coach Bonds lived life to the fullest with an unshakable faith in Jesus Christ. You didn't have to know him well to be impacted by him. Anyone that was ever around him has a story they were touched by. My heart hurts for his wife and children as well as the Johnson County and ECI communities. It's people like Coach Bonds that remind us that even when life throws you obstacles, you have to keep living it. Because you only get one shot. And it's ultimately up to you to how you will be remembered. Coach Bonds will be remembered as a man who cared and loved. And he was certainly loved by many as well.