Having lived over half a century, I've been to a number of funerals. Every funeral I've attended I've always worn a suit and tie, it is what I was taught. It was always the right thing to do.
When Shane died, I deviated from the norm and instead of getting out my best suit, I went shopping.
Take a trip back with me nearly 30 years. My earliest memory of Shane's connection with the Broncos was when he was around Devin's age. We moved to Portland Oregon and they had a number of Phillips 76 gas stations in the area. When we would drive by one, baby Shane would look up through the back window of our Honda fastback, see the bright orange 76 ball, and yell "Go Broncos!".
The connection has been that long.
Four or five years later Shane was further refining his alighment with the Broncos and more specifically with John Elway
So it started back that far. Far enough back that the word "always" is appropriate.
When Shane turned 12 he entered the world of working in professional sports (no kidding - I thought he would get a job mowing lawns but I guess I wasn't specific enough when I suggested he find work so he could have more spending money).
When it came to sports apparel, I would steer him to the racks of team tees. Shane, finding the expensive "authentic" apparel would have none of it.
"But Dad! These are the REAL team Jerseys, just like the players wear in games!" he would exclaim.
I, in turn, would explain you could get a team tee shirt for $8.00 rather than spending $70 for the "real thing".
But Shane had a job, Shane had money of his own, Shane was dedicated to sports, and Shane saved up and purchased those "real" jerseys. Meanwhile, I kept buying the $8.00 tees.
Prior to this funeral, I've never paid more than $20 for a sports team shirt.
When Shane died and it was time to say goodbye, I decided to do it dressed in a way that would have made him smile.
I did something I would never do. I went to an "official" outlet and dropped just under 300 dollars for a pair of Denver Bronco Jerseys (one for Michelle). Not just a "real" jersey, but as Shane would have said "The best ones with the letters and names sewn on, not stenciled".
That's why the jersey.
It's about what matters to the boy. But why number 58?
The number 58 is worn by Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller. Von is a graduate of Texas A&M. Von makes 1.33 million dollars a season, runs the 40 in 4.49 seconds, and Von had his father call my little boy the day Shane got home after his first chemotherapy session.
Shane was invited to "hang out" with Von and some of the other Broncos, but a few short days later Shane's colon blew out and the rest is history.
After Shane passed, another call came inviting Cassandra, Devin, my daughter, son-in-law, and Cassandra's mother up to training camp. Von met with Cassandra and Devin. He signed a jersey that he wore in a game last season and gave it to Cassandra.
Von also set Shane's family up in the VIP Accommodations for the training camp day, met with them, and gave Jack and Mandy tickets to an upcoming game.
I wear the jersey, rather than a suit, out of respect. It's about respect for my son who loves sports so much. It's about an NFL player who didn't have to do anything, but chose to show respect to my son and his family.
Been there, done that. Got the shirt.
It's the last time I'll ever attend a funeral and not wear a suit.
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