Listen Live
97.9 The Box Featured Video
CLOSE

Sometimes you have to root for the underdog. Perhaps that’s why the minute Sean Barnum, 19, saw Washington Redskin’s quarterback Colt Brennan step onto the turf, he found his role model.

“Sean said that the first time he saw Colt play in Hawaii, he knew the guy was just awesome,” said Justin Jemela, Barnum’s future brother-in-law and close friend. “He also told me that he didn’t think Colt got the respect that he deserved and, in a way, I think Sean felt that no one gave him the credit he deserved as a quarterback.”

While Barnum would like most to be remembered by the athleticism he demonstrated throughout his four years as a quarterback on the Morton Ranch High School football team, his claim to fame is a little less glamorous.

Barnum, who graduated from Morton Ranch in 2009, was alledgedly stabbed in the heart with a screwdriver at the Citgo gas station on Franz and Westgreen in April.

Since then, the road to athletic stardom has not been easy.

Barnum is currently a patient at the Texas Institute of Rehabilitation and Research, an extension of Memorial Herman Hospital. Here, doctors are working diligently via therapy treatment to get him back onto the playing field.

“Everyday is a struggle,” Jemela admited. “It’s going to be a long road to recovery, but he continues to get better.”

Little did Barnum know that a part of his treatment would include correspondence with his all-time favorite quarterback, who has taken a special interest in Barnum’s underdog story.

“I just wanted to do something that would make Sean smile, so we reached out to the Washington Washington Football Team. Within an hour, they e-mailed and called us back,” Jemela said.

And the response has been overwhelming.

“Colt Brennan calls and text messages me almost everyday just to see how Sean is doing. He’ll even leave voicemails for me to play to Sean with words of encouragement,” Jamela said.

Washington Football Team officials have also sent over a variety of objects for Barnum including an autographed football with the 22 signatures of notable NFL players, Brennan’s signed game day helmet and a No. 15 jersey made especially for him.

“I know it may not seem like a lot, but it’s the little things that have really made Sean smile,” Jamela said. “I have no doubt in my mind that what they have done has meant a lot to him.”

The Washington Football Team are not the only ones showing love for Barnum. The Chicago Bears, the Boston Celtics, the Miami Dolphins, the Houston Texans, the Houston Astros and the Houston Rockets have also donated their spirit wear and kind words.

All donations, except for the Redskin’s autographed football and Brennan’s game day helmet, will go towards the fundraising for Barnum’s medical costs.

Barnum’s family has also organized an event entitled “SRB Rockin’ Jock The Purple Flag Football Tournament.” The tournament, which is set for June 19, will take place at the MRHS practice fields from 12-8 p.m.

“In honor of Sean’s favorite sport, we’ve decided to have a flag football tournament in order to pay for any medical fees he may incur,” Jemela said.

Jemela says the tournament’s enrollment has already filled up.

“Within four days, we had all 10 teams (we needed),” Jamela said. “We will probably have 200 to 300 people attend.”

Each team has a maximum of five players. Attendees are also asked to bring purple ribbons, bracelets or spirit wear to sell to help raise money for Barnum.

“Sean really wants to follow in Colt’s footsteps. He wanted to play football at a small university and then transfer to Hawaii just like Colt,” Jamela said. “I think all of us have the best intentions of getting him back to where he wants to be one day and that’s the best we can do.”

For more information on the event, click here

To read more about Sean Barnum’s journey, click here

Source