My brother, my friend and my number one fan has died
As I have done for the past 8 years, I recently sent a list of all the former pro football players that have died during the year. I send my emails to over 6,000 former players. This year the list was viewed by more players than any other article I have ever written and posted. Many of you sent me comments thanking me for taking the time to compile and disseminate this information. In some cases, former players had no idea that one of their teammates had passed.
When I look at the names of the players that are no longer with us, I think of the families and friends that have suffered the loss of a loved one. The passing of a friend or a family member is very difficult to handle. When our alumni brothers take their final journey into the great hereafter, it reminds us of our own mortality and our relatively brief time here on earth.
When anyone that is close to us dies, it can make us look at what is really important in this life – our relationships with family and friends. Hopefully, it also renews our faith in the kindness and decency that is inherent in most people.
On January 2, 2015 my youngest brother Barton Andrew Nixon passed away after battling cancer. Our family received a huge outpouring of sympathy and love that reminded me of just how important it is to have the support of friends during times like these.
Bart was not just my brother and my friend – he was also my number one fan.
When I played for the Buffalo Bills, he was always hoping that I would play well and that we would win. The walls of his room were adorned with my football photos and other memorabilia. The word “fan” doesn’t really convey the kind of relationship we had. Most fans don’t really know who we are - they can only see the player, not the true person. My brother knew the “real” me and looked past my flaws, imperfections and weaknesses - and loved me for who I was. I tried to do the same thing with him.
The last time I was with my brother, he had just finished his chemo and radiation treatments. We went out on the town and had a good meal, a few beers and a few shots of Tequila. Afterwards we walked directly across the street and into a little trading card / sports memorabilia store. My brother asked the owner if he had any Jeff Nixon football cards and sure enough, the owner offered him the last one in his collection. When my brother proudly told the owner who I was, he said he could have the card for free.
A few months after I saw him, Bart received the news that his cancer had spread to other areas of his body. We were all devastated. Eventually, we came to the realization that he would not survive this terrible disease. Even though he knew this was a death sentence, he never once said “why me?”
I am so thankful that my mother and father were at his bedside when he passed. This has been a very tough time for both of them. If the spirit moves you - say a prayer of strength and comfort for our family. My brother Dave told me that as soon as he finished reading the 23rd Psalm - Bart took his last breath and gave up his spirit. They did everything in their power to help him overcome his illness, but in the end, it was God's will that he should come home and dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
I will always be his brother...........his friend.......... and his number one fan.
My brother Bart with the autographed Drew Bledsoe jersey I gave him the last time we were together.
