For many fans, football is more than just a game. For one Dallas fan, his Cowboys, football was like a family bond. It also remains a way for his loved ones to remember him.
tragic loss
What started as a normal day for a father-son trip to see the Cowboys came to an unexpected end.
Tim Washington Sr. tragically passed away on the same day he was scheduled to play in his first NFL game, the Cowboys' last regular season game against the Washington Commanders at FedEx Field. .
Washington Sr. was accompanied by his son, Tim Washington Jr., who always wanted to help fulfill his father's dream of watching his favorite team play live.
Tragedy occurred when Washington Sr. was about 100 yards from FedEx Field. He suddenly collapsed and died a few minutes later.
Washington Jr. described this moment as his world falling apart, both figuratively and literally, changing his life forever. He said his father had told everyone about the opportunity to go to the game, and he planned to take pictures in front of FedEx Field to send around.
“He's been talking about going to this game since the moment I bought the ticket,” Washington Jr. added. “I've always wanted to take his dad to Dallas and watch the game, but the way the cards were dealt was disappointing,” and that never happened. ”
Little Washington had planned to meet his father in Dallas and watch the game at AT&T Stadium, but plans kept changing due to job changes, moves and the pandemic.
Dallas Cowboys return the favor
The Cowboys organization recognized this tragedy and acted to ensure the Washington family felt love and support during this time.
The organization sent multiple bouquets of flowers to Washington Sr.'s service, and Washington Jr. had a special delivery sent to his home. The delivery was an autographed letter from Jerry Jones and a Cowboys pin.
The letter read as follows: “I learned of the recent passing of Timothy Washington as he was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan. I am humbled and heartbroken to hear of Timothy's passing. The important thing is that I understand what he meant to those who loved him.”
Washington Jr. said this act of kindness from the Cowboys would have made his father happy.
“He would be so proud. He would be so proud. He loved the Cowboys and the people within the organization… Jerry Jones did this for a fan he'd never met. He has gone above and beyond, and I have a lot of respect for what he has done.”
More than just a football fan
The son said news of his father's death also reached former Dallas Cowboy and NFL all-time rushing leader Emmitt Smith, one of his father's favorite players. This was ironic, since he remembers his father being similar to the former running back.
“The students were all buzzing, 'Emmitt Smith is in our class.' They swore he was, and it was so funny. But my last name was Washington, and his last name was… They were confused because it was Smith. I ended up telling everyone that it was my father. We all laughed, but unfortunately I told them he wasn't Emmit. “It happened all the time when I was a kid,” Washington said.
His father has been a Cowboys fan for as long as he can remember, and he comes from a football family. In fact, he recently attended his son's induction into the Bristol Sports Hall of Fame and told his son how proud he was of this accomplishment. But he was also proud of his son's choice to continue his education, attending Syracuse University and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
But Washington Sr. wasn't just a football fan. Father, husband, grandfather, friend and inspiration.
His family says he will be remembered as a caring and loving soul who helped countless people as a drug and alcohol counselor in multiple areas of Connecticut.
He got off to a tough start and was in and out of rehab facilities. All that changed when he turned his life around to being sober for over 30 years. He also enjoyed spending time with his family, traveling, dining, and poker nights with his buddies.
In his memory, his family has established a memorial scholarship fund to support underprivileged students in Bristol, Connecticut.
“If there's anything my father's death has taught us, it's to love each other. Be kind to everyone you meet. Make people laugh. Pay it forward and help those in need. Please help me. As he said, “It doesn't cost money to be nice to someone.''
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