Very Classy Act by College Athlete

CatFamily · Post by **CatFamily** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 1:59 pm

Jason Washington Gives Back

Griz redshirt helps wish come true for young fan

MISSOULA - University of Montana redshirt quarterback Jason Washington has formed the Griz Make-a-Wish Foundation as the result of a chance meeting with a young Missoula fan at Wal-Mart.

Because of that meeting Abby Reimann and her family will be watching when the Grizzlies take on South Dakota State Saturday.

The girl’s father recognized Washington, who thought Abby was sleeping in her father’s arms. But because of a life-threatening illness she was awake but largely unresponsive.

“She can’t speak now,” Washington said. “But she can understand. The disease is starting to take away her senses.”

The press release from UM did not identify the disease.

Christie Anderson, Grizzly Athletics marketing and promotions director, said Washington came to her office and was “just adamant that we do something for this family.” Washington, sitting out the season while recovering from off-season shoulder surgery, said that because he can’t contribute on the field he’s using his time to help out in the community.

“Hopefully we can help make one of her last days a little bit brighter,” he said. “Kids in Missoula idolize the Griz.”

Abby and her family will have pre-game passes to be on the field during warmups and will receive shirts, hats and goodie bags courtesy of the UM bookstore and the president’s office.

Washington, from Oakland, Calif., has donated his player tickets to his new foundation since his family isn’t in the area to attend games. He and Anderson will try to find a family in need of a boost for each home game and are looking for candidates through Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane, Wash.

I am so impressed by this act of kindness by Jason Washington. Wow... such a neat thing. It just shows that we get caught up in all the excitement of college athletics (espicially football) and need to step back and see the reality that these are young men and this is just a side-light to the real world we all live in. Best wishes to Abby and her family... and a big THANKS form this Bobcat Fan to Jason for his compassion and generosity... and to Chrisie Anderson for her support.

Post by **kmax** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 2:04 pm

This is an awesome story and a great thing that Washington has begun. My thanks and appreciation to Washington and all of UM for using their resources for such a good cause. Well done.

gtapp · Post by **gtapp** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 2:15 pm

Very impressive young man! Here's hoping he has a fast and complete recovery from his injury.

bozbobcat · Post by **bozbobcat** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 2:31 pm

It's nice to see an athlete do something like that. Hats off to Jason Washington for that one.

GOKATS · Post by **GOKATS** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 2:42 pm

Super gesture!

Platinumcat · Post by **Platinumcat** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 2:58 pm

Great job Jason

CelticCat · Post by **CelticCat** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 3:10 pm

You guys don't read my blog, do ya.

Post by **kmax** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 3:31 pm

CelticCat wrote:You guys don't read my blog, do ya.

catatac · Post by **catatac** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 3:35 pm

Very classy move - makes it tougher to hate everything Griz when you hear of things like this! Nicely done Jason...

Billings_Griz · Post by **Billings_Griz** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 4:10 pm

catatac wrote:Very classy move - makes it tougher to hate everything Griz when you hear of things like this!

You have Griz envy, admit it.

Indeed, nice gesture...I have goose bumps.

GrizinWashington · Post by **GrizinWashington** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 6:11 pm

Thanks for the post, CatFamily. Thanks for pointing out the good that so often gets overlooked.

And CC has a blog??!?

lifeloyalsigmsu · Post by **lifeloyalsigmsu** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 9:40 pm

GrizinWashington wrote:Thanks for the post, CatFamily. Thanks for pointing out the good that so often gets overlooked.

And CC has a blog??!?

That is truly Awesome!! It's beyond a classy act.