PRESIDENT Jim Stynes says he can relate to Sean Wight’s journey.
With Stynes also going through his own battle with cancer, he made it very clear that it was a different situation, but one he could genuinely understand.
“I can probably relate to part of what Sean’s gone through, although anyone who’s had cancer has a different journey. They’re all different, but when you’re on it, you face the same eventuality, so I’m sure many would have similar thoughts,” he said.
“Sean would have gone through all of that, and I spoke with him along the way, and it takes you to places that you wouldn’t normally go. You probably find something in yourself that you wouldn’t be forced to confront. You also discover what is important, what has real meaning in life.
“Sean found peace towards the end, but it’s just very sad, and we’ve lost a great man, a great teammate, and a great family man - a son and brother. It’s just really sad - it’s happened so suddenly. For some people, they wouldn’t have even known how sick he was, and it’s a shock for the football world.”
“It’s about the family, and I feel really sad for everyone who’s been close to Sean, and who’s supported him along the way.”
Stynes likened Wight’s battle to the way he played the game.
“He’s had to do it really hard. For anyone who’s had cancer, he’s done it the hard way, there’s no doubt about it, and it’s like some of the jobs he got on the football field - he never got the easy ones. He always got the toughest.”
“He took them all on with huge courage and bravery, and with a smile, and he never complained. He just went about it his way, and he gave everything.
“He absolutely gave everything, and I would say without a doubt he was the most courageous player I played with, and gifted, without a doubt.
Stynes said Wight’s passing was “a big loss for his family, and for the club”.
“Particularly one who is so young - I’m only a couple of years younger than him, and obviously I can relate a little bit to what Sean’s been through - it’s devastating,” he said.
“It forces us all to reflect on how human we are. It’s going to be a tough week for the family. His mum’s come back from overseas, and his sisters, and it’s tough, but it’s life, and they’ll carry on. They look after each other, and they’ll regroup, and I’m sure that eventually they’ll be better for the experience.
“But, in the short term, it’s going to be a tough time, and the best thing we can do is support them, and be there if they need it.”
With Stynes also going through his own battle with cancer, he made it very clear that it was a different situation, but one he could genuinely understand.
“I can probably relate to part of what Sean’s gone through, although anyone who’s had cancer has a different journey. They’re all different, but when you’re on it, you face the same eventuality, so I’m sure many would have similar thoughts,” he said.
“Sean would have gone through all of that, and I spoke with him along the way, and it takes you to places that you wouldn’t normally go. You probably find something in yourself that you wouldn’t be forced to confront. You also discover what is important, what has real meaning in life.
“Sean found peace towards the end, but it’s just very sad, and we’ve lost a great man, a great teammate, and a great family man - a son and brother. It’s just really sad - it’s happened so suddenly. For some people, they wouldn’t have even known how sick he was, and it’s a shock for the football world.”
“It’s about the family, and I feel really sad for everyone who’s been close to Sean, and who’s supported him along the way.”
Stynes likened Wight’s battle to the way he played the game.
“He’s had to do it really hard. For anyone who’s had cancer, he’s done it the hard way, there’s no doubt about it, and it’s like some of the jobs he got on the football field - he never got the easy ones. He always got the toughest.”
“He took them all on with huge courage and bravery, and with a smile, and he never complained. He just went about it his way, and he gave everything.
“He absolutely gave everything, and I would say without a doubt he was the most courageous player I played with, and gifted, without a doubt.
Stynes said Wight’s passing was “a big loss for his family, and for the club”.
“Particularly one who is so young - I’m only a couple of years younger than him, and obviously I can relate a little bit to what Sean’s been through - it’s devastating,” he said.
“It forces us all to reflect on how human we are. It’s going to be a tough week for the family. His mum’s come back from overseas, and his sisters, and it’s tough, but it’s life, and they’ll carry on. They look after each other, and they’ll regroup, and I’m sure that eventually they’ll be better for the experience.
“But, in the short term, it’s going to be a tough time, and the best thing we can do is support them, and be there if they need it.”
