Shout out for Pat's Well Being

Throw out school loyalty, throw out your hate for orange. This is about a true legend, and a lady to be respected. Pat Summitt of the Tennessee Lady Vols has been diagnosed with early onset dementia. Our prayers, thoughts and well wishes here at the Dawg Stephen blog go out to her.

I had the chance to meet her 2 years ago at the SEC basketball media days, sit across the tables from her at lunch, and spend about 35 minutes one-on-one talking with her just about life in general.

Think how intense and mean spirited she seems when coaching a game. Now do a 180 degree turn in your thinking. Regardless of how much I hate orange, (AND I DO) I could not walk away from that interview and lunch with ANY hatred whatsoever for Pat Summitt the lady. She talked about hard work, dedication, how she was raised and the faith of her family that makes her who she is today. Truly one of the nicer, down to earth people I have ever met.

She didnt have to be nice to me. She had never met me, and she certainly didnt have to be nice to a guy wearing a "G" on his hat, but she did. She spoke with me as if I were the most important person she would speak with that day. I was more than a little saddened to hear of her condition, and I took just a moment to whisper a prayer for her and her family in this time.

Regardless of how you feel about Tennessee or what you THINK you know about Pat Summitt, take a moment and throw some well wishes her way. This is bigger than rivalry.