September 2018: The Art of Persevering

August was a very difficult month for Hoop Beauty and our family and friends. On August 8, 2018, we lost our father, David Price. He was everything that every man should aspire to be. Our hero, biggest fan and our rock. Our mom lost her best friend and soulmate of over 20 years. There are no words to bring to life the pain and despair we are collectively feeling.

David was a Head Athletic Trainer in the NFL for over 32 years. He worked tirelessly healing players and keeping them healthy and on the field. He cared deeply about everyone who walked through his training room, and took great pains to make sure that their physical and emotional needs were being addressed. Throughout his career, David worked with The Philadelphia Eagles, The Philadelphia / Baltimore Stars, The New York Jets and The Kansas City Chiefs.

Recently, David was interviewed by TMZ, Bleacher Report and SB Nation Outsports for having helped former NFL player, Ryan O’Callaghan, get the help he desperately needed as he was contemplating suicide. O’Callaghan was battling with being a closeted gay in the NFL. O’Callaghan noted that he had been abusing pain pills and had developed suicidal thoughts. David noticed that something was not right with his player and immediately arranged for O’Callaghan to see the team therapist. O’Callaghan credits David for saving his life.

Per SB Nation writer, Cyd Zeigler, “Price was the perfect example of someone who truly deserves the label of “ally,” working behind the scenes to get people the support they so desperately need. His presence in this world will be missed.”

David also worked behind the scenes at Hoop as our COO and CFO. He loved everything we were doing to educate the world on CBD and the endless possibilities of this curative plant. His spirit will live on forever inside Hoop and everything that we do to try and make this world a cleaner, healthier, more tolerant and loving place to live. We learned from the best.

For us, September will be about living our best lives, picking ourselves up, taking one step at a time, and learning how to breathe again. It is amazing how something as simple as taking a breath can be so incredibly hard to do when unexpected tragedy knocks the wind out of you.

David kept a poem on the wall of his training room. It was a reminder to always be true to yourself. To never try to cheat yourself, or anybody else. To be honest, humble, kind and pure. That was our Dad.

 

THE MAN IN THE GLASS

 

When you get what you want in your struggle for self

and the world makes you king for a day

Just go to the mirror and look at yourself

and see what that man has to say

 

For it isn’t your father or mother or wife

who judgment upon you must pass

The fellow whose verdict counts the most in your life

is the one staring back from the glass

 

Some people may think you a straight-shooting chum

and call you a wonderful guy

But the guy in the glass says you’re only a bum

if you can’t look him straight in the eye

 

He’s the fellow to please never mind all the rest

for he’s with you clear up to the end

And you’ve passed your most dangerous difficult test

if the man in the glass is your friend

 

You may fool the whole world down the pathway

of life and get pats on the back as pass

But your final reward will be heartaches and

tears if you’ve cheated the man in the glass.

 

The man in the glass loved David and David loved that man back. He never took a day of his life for granted, and neither will we.

 

We love you so much, Dad.