"Okay, boys, let's go!"
"Okay, boys, let's go!" These words have been a mystery since the day that Coach Devone Payne died. These were the last words that Coach Payne spoke before he slipped into a coma preceding his death.
There have been quite a few stories over the years about what or whom was Coach Payne referring? Some thought that he was speaking to his football team just before it was time to send them into their big game. "Okay boys, let's go." And he turned to lead them to meet their opponents. Coach Payne led them and his team followed their leader.
Others said that he was speaking to his own four boys: Devone Jr. age 15, Robert Charles age 13, Joe Beck age 4, and Andy age 2. "Okay boys let's go" and he turned to lead his own four boys into a new phase of life. Seeking to leave them a message of faith and hope in the future. Four young boys. The two oldest boys each took the hand of a little brother and led them out to meet a new world that they had never known before.
For the full column, see Page 6A of this week's Citizen.
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Robert Charles Payne is an inspirational writer who lives in West Monroe. He can be contacted by e-mailing robertcharlespayne@yahoo.com. |
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