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Count It All Joy is a three-part series that unfolds the struggles of two Alabama State football playersas their parents battle a life-threatening disease. These circumstanceswould hit these players at a time whenlife is already hectic: football season. Here's how they got through and the testimony their parents carry.

In the distance, clouds mount across the skyline on the fringe of downtown Montgomery. They grow deeper in color as the weather evolves, the already ashen hues of the mass becoming a smoke grey that oddly soothes the eye because of its stark contrast with the taupe pavement of I-85 near Alabama State.

It was roughly 30 minutes before the 2 p.m. kickoff between ASU and Alcorn State, when the first strike of lightning split the sky of a previously sunny day, interrupting everything that was planned.

It was supposed to be a joyous day, and now an intimidating forecast of scattered thunderstorms painted weather radars in the area like a room full of toddlers left unattended with with green, yellow and red finger paint.

Prior to what would become a four-hour rain delay, the energy in ASU stadium was electric. The players were excited to challenge Alcorn State and possibly take the lead in the SWAC East standings. The ASU faithful wereon one accord with this sentiment, and most important of all, it was BeatOutBreastCancer Day, the Pink game and a general tribute to cancer survivors of any kind everywhere.

Yet in its present state, rain drenched the turf, spectators retreated from the elements under the cover of the bleachers, and under the awnings of the visitors' side concession stands. At that time, all the day had to show for itself was a chain of bras stretched out across the Alcorn State sideline that were supposed to serve as a tribute during the anticipated pregame celebration.

Save the bras, the field was desolate.

The joy, the energy was drained. The buzz that surrounded the day was washed away by the conditions of the day.

But in ASUs locker room, the day still shone brightly. The anticipation to take part in a celebration of life, trials and triumph never dwindled for Michael Jefferson II (MJ) or Darius King.

Katrice Williams and Micheal Jefferson Sr. stand on the sideline together, before "Beat out Breast Cancer" game with Alcorn State, Oct. 5.(Photo: Katrice Williams/contributed)

It was a day for them to honor the struggle of being alongside their respective parents in their fight against cancer. As they sat at their lockers waiting for the weather delay to end, itching to get on the field and play for their loved ones, their parents and the road they traveled occupied their minds.

I was going to go out and play for him, MJ said. During the delay, I was texting him before the game, and he was telling me Stay focused and play hard.

King described the moment, the anticipation, as a blessing. He said he thought about the pain she was going through, times they were in the hospital and, the pain on her face. It all flashed before him.

When the weather finally cleared, kickoff now set for 6 p.m., Michael Jefferson Sr. and Katrice Williams, the parents of MJ and King, respectively, went out for the coin toss as a tribute to their battle with cancer; as a tribute to their victories.

In the summer of 2017, Williams was diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer and declared cancer free in May 2018. As for Jefferson Sr., he overcame his second bout with leukemia in June 2018, but is still waiting for his body to accept his brother's stem cells from a bone marrow transplant in May.

Count it all Joy, Part 1: ASU WR Michael Jefferson II battles through fathers bout with cancer

Their testimony and journeys are why ASU head coach Donald Hill-Eley insisted they flip the coin to start the game, after approaching administration and Deputy Director of Athletics Terrance Jones earlier in the week to make sure it was fine for them to do so, since the event hinged on breast cancer awareness.

The courtesy was the least he could do, considering the role both parties played in his life over the past couple years, and vice versa.

The ASU football team arrives to Hornet Stadium before their contest against Alcorn State. (Photo: Kirsten Fiscus/Advertiser)

In December 2017, Hill-Eleys father Vincent Eley, 68, was diagnosed with throat cancer, a disease that will take the life of 3,760Americans this year, according to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

Fittingly, he and his fathers battle was wedged right in the middle of the battles of these two players. He could relate, he could support and he could be supported.

Shes been an inspiration for me, because a couple months later my dad was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, Hill-Eley said. So, weve all been able to share whats going on ... then Mikes dad was diagnosed, so it became more of a support group than anything.

Thus, they all leaned on one another.

A lot of time I get strength from them, and they get strength from me, Hill-Eley said. Just trying to find a way to get through.

Cancer is a sickness that spreads. Not just in the nature of the disease, but it spreads and touches the lives of all involved, from the patient to their family and friends to the friends and family of the latter.

Cancer and its reach is best repressedand even healed through dependency. The dependency on one another, on loved ones and those willing to share the burden with you.

This is whats been happening behind the doors of ASUs program for the past two years.

Michael Jefferson II and his teammates visit Micheal Jefferson Sr.at the hospital(Photo: Michael Jefferson Sr./contributed)

Teammates, such as Jeremiah Hixon, were with MJ every step of the way. Hixon allowed Jefferson to take his car to Birmingham to see his dad in treatment or would personally drive MJ there with a car full of teammates so they all could lift his dads spirits, MJ said.

Hixon was there to talk and console MJ. He never left MJ alone, no matter the distance or situation Hixon said.

Jeremiah Hixon touts fellow sophomore receiver Michael Jefferson as Alabama State's best against Tuskegee. A. Stacy Long, Montgomery Advertiser

The team rallied around both King and MJ in different ways, at different times.

Theyve been able as a group to find ways through it, Hill-Eley said. We constantly talk ... and weve been able to repay each out for whats going on and what's happening. Its been a great resource to me, and I know its been a great resource for them. Im 50 and Im trying to understand it, and theyre 19 and 20, so its been a lot of prayers going in and out, but these guys are very strong men, and theyve been able to deal with it.

Through the toughest times, the ASU football team has been there for one another as a team.

Katrice Williams plays around with her son Darius King in front of there home(Photo: Katrice Williams/contributed)

Through the times King would return home and become engrossedin disbelief by his mothers condition, begging for her to get out of bed, Williams said. Through the times shed adhere to his desperate cries, body broken and thinned out by her treatments. He needed to see her strong, Williams said, and he struggled to accept that she was not herself. So, Williams would get up to cook, clean and whatever else it took to prove to him that she wasnt as sick as she was, through the 60 pounds she lost, through her chemo treatments and the up and down nature of her health. Through it all, King thanks guys such as JLan Carson, Christian Clark and Joshua Hill for being there.

Count it all Joy, Part II: ASU LB Darius King helps carry mother's burden, stage 4 cancer

There were other times that Hill-Eley and his staff, present and past, made the clubhouse suites available for Williams during home games, or provided Jefferson Sr. and Williams with a closer parking spot or sent carts to them for transport to and from their cars.

And for that to even occur, Hill-Eley had to make sure he wasnt breaking NCAA rules by accommodating Williams and Jefferson, a tightrope he was willing to walk to give them a little touch of life, he said.

At that point, the human part of you has to kick in, Hill-Eley said. And that gets you past all of these bylaws.

The journey was about selflessness, relatability and empathy.

Alabama State head coach Donald Hill-Eley talks to his team in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Florida State in Tallahassee, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. Florida State won 49-12. (AP Photo/Mark Wallheiser)(Photo: Mark Wallheiser, AP)

MJ and King said they are grateful for all parties involved in this process, and speak for their parents in doing so. Beyond that, they are thankful for a coach like Hill-Eley who took time to make sure they were doing all right amid the many responsibilities of a college head coach.

They called that rare.

On many college teams, head coaches are not that close to players how he is with us, King said. Im just thankful for him.

MJ added: This is one of the best coaches Ive had ... always positive and thats what I need: people with positive energy around me to help me stay up.

These efforts are only a few compared to the many people that were involved in the healing process for MJs, Kings and Hill-Eleys family, and none of the efforts unmentioned went unnoticed.

Today, everyones healing is on the verge of being complete. Jefferson Sr. is expecting his new stem cells to be accepted by his body and is seeing improvement daily, while MJ leads ASU in receiving.

An obstruction in Williams bowel was a cause for concern, and as of last week her oncologist stated that her cancer might be back, but if it is, its too small to show on scans. She will be monitored every three months from now on as a preventative measure. Even so, her son, King, remains in good spirits and says he is humbled and encouraged to live every day like its my last day. Not to be sad or down about it, just keep my head up.

As for Hill-Eley, his father remains in the midst of a battle with throat cancer, and he says its growing, unfortunately, but right after the season he will return home to Virginiato take care of his father. He remains hopeful, however, as the five-year survival rate for his father'scancer is 61%, theASCO says.

Alcorn linebacker Solomon Muhammad (49) snags an interception on a pass intended for ASU wide receiver Tyrek allen (8). (Photo: Kirsten Fiscus/Advertiser)

Alabama State eventually lost that game to Alcorn State at home in early October, but the day wasnt spoiled. Rather, the Hornets counted it all joy, because compared to the trials of life this was just a hiccup and not worthy in the grand scheme, they said.

We needed to see them strong, and they needed to see that we were OK, Hill-Eley said. Just the emotions of seeing them make it another day and to be able to go out and watch their young men play, I know it wasnt the outcome we wanted (againstAlcorn), but the victory was having them in the middle of that field.

Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Andre Toranat 334-322-4631or AToran@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @AndreToran.

Originally posted here:
Count it all joy, Part III: Coach Hill-Eley has his own cancer struggle - Montgomery Advertiser

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