Patrick Watkins-A Death too Young...

Many members of my Metropolis Rugby Club help coach local high school aged teams in the Twin Cities Metro area. As somebody who has coached and been a referee for high school wrestling, I know that coaches and players can have a very close relationship. It's kind of between that of a parent and a big brother.

In the past week, the South Metro Tigers coaching staff had to get that horrible bit of news that nobody wants to hear in the middle of the night: South Metro 8 man Patrick Watkins was killed in a car accident in North East Minneapolis on July 13thhttp://www.startribune.com/local/98472329.html?elr=KArks:DCiUnP::DE8c7PiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU.  I have had the privilege of watching this 17 year old run hard and play hard for South Metro. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsVJUECsQ-c


The thing with teenagers is that sometimes they take risks without fully appreciating the danger with their actions.  My hope is that maybe the people who survived this crash, Patrick's family and the rugby community can talk with young people  and use this needless tragedy as cautionary tale about excess speed and having too many teen passengers in one car.

There will be a celebration of Patrick's young life this coming Saturday in Minneapolis:

Greater Friendship Church 2600 E 38th st Minneapolis, MN

Friends and family are being asked to wear rugby jersey's instead of suit and tie.