 | NICHOLAS J. COTSONIKA The Greek Speaks |
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DETROIT - Tyronee (Tiger) Bussey II died in his hospital bed at 11:45 p.m. on Jan. 3. He was upset, not because he was dying, but because of his timing.
Days before, even though the tubes running down his throat were choking him and leukemia had dropped his weight from 235 pounds to 130, he had his mind on his father's birthday, Jan. 4.
To die then was unacceptable.
"He didn't want his father to think of him dying every birthday he has the rest of his life," said Mildred Bussey, Tiger's mother. "He just couldn't stand the thought of it. We have a very close family, and Tyronee always looked out for other people."
That was Bussey, who, even in his final moments, when his body was just a withered piece of what it once was, remained true.
Always a Tiger.
Of course, every time someone dies, we say nice things. We talk about how kind the person was, how he was giving and how he was selfless. We say those things about everyone.
But if you'd seen that church Saturday, teeming with people, it was clear that Bussey was not a cliche, not another athlete whose skills in life lionized him in death. Bussey's life served an important purpose, a purpose that went far beyond the sporting world.
Touching people, that will be Tiger's legacy. If he hadn't been a football player, few outside his family would care about his death this morning. It would be just another obituary on the inside of the newspaper.
Leukemia is such a foreign word to most of us. But now a football player, a strong, All-State linebacker was brought down.
And we take notice.
If Bussey had been healthy, he never could have done anything as important.
His funeral was held at Precious Blood Church, where he sat in the long, pine pews as a child and his parents taught him to worship. Right across the street was his high school, St. Martin De Porres, where he had become an All-State linebacker, molded himself into a blue-chip prospect, and earned a scholarship to play at Colorado.
Bussey, 20, wore his favorite brown suit, per his request, and at his head, resting on a pillow, was his gold, No. 56 Colorado helmet. It matched the black and gold CU flag that was draped over his casket.
Detroit mayor Dennis Archer issued a resolution, praising Bussey as "always one to accept the challenge and fight the odds."
And then there were those he loved most, his family, his friends, and of course, his coaches. Eight of Bussey's coaches were there, from the man who taught Bussey to hit a baseball in little league to Colorado's Rick Neuheisel.
"He never made you feel his was sick," said Neuheisel, who approached Bussey's casket gingerly, placing a hand on the CU flag to whisper his goodbye. "He always kept that big smile on his face, and he never asked, 'Why me?' I guess we all wonder why, but the only thing I can come up with is that God needed a pass rush. Now he's playing for the best team there is."
Over and over again, Neuheisel and others told stories of Bussey's loving personality - he was born on Valentine's Day, after all - and his determination.There was the time last week, when Neuheisel was recruiting in Tucson, Ariz., and received word that Bussey had died. Bussey would never again be at the other end of the phone, holding the same conversation he held with Neuheisel every week:
"Hey, Tiger, how you feeling?"
"Just fine, coach."
"You sure?"
"Yep. I'll be back soon."
Tiger said that to the end, "I'll be back." He was set on it, lifting light weights in the hospital, trying to get stronger. After religion and family, football was the most important thing in his life. He just wanted to play, but leukemia wouldn't give him the chance.
"There was no question Tiger was going to be a good player, but he was already a great person," Neuheisel said. "I'm supposed to be the teacher, but I learned more from Tiger than I ever taught." And so did many others.
"I'll never forget Tiger; he never gave up," said T.J. Rickey, who played with Bussey at De Porres. "The last thing he told me was, 'Never say die. I'll see you later.'"
Always a Tiger.
- Nicholas J. Cotsonika can be reached over e-mail at cotsonik@umich.edu.