Boston College special teams coach Al Washington posted a touching, grief-stricken goodbye to former NFL lineman Ron Brace. Brace died this weekend at age 29. He was a beloved man in the locker room wherever he played. His passing is especially sad, according to Washington, because of all the future players Brace won’t have an opportunity to instruct and serve as an example for. Brace and Washington were teammates at BC.
Washington’s goodbye (below) was conflicted, as it had to be given Brace’s youth. He recounts how a wise person once told him that when “God calls a person Home early it’s because he successfully completed his homework here on earth.” But Washington has to live with the fact that it “pains him to think about all the lives [Brace] would have impacted and changed for the better.” That chance won’t come to pass. In saying goodbye to Brace, at least the football world can now do so knowing Brace had friends like Al Washington. That makes it a little bit easier. The 330-pound Brace last played in the NFL in 2012. He appeared in 29 games for the Patriots in his pro career.
Ron Brace Teammate,Friend & Brother.You Will Be Missed.We Love You & BCFB Will Make You PROUD! Rest Easy Big Ron!?? pic.twitter.com/ZxfJWdpmV9
— Al Washington (@CoachWash56) April 24, 2016
— Al Washington (@CoachWash56) April 24, 2016
