TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – To know Cam Brown was to love Cam Brown. On November 4th, 17, the Florida High grad passed away after battling bone cancer, but thanks to those closest to him, the former wrestler and football standout’s memory hasn’t been forgotten, and he continues to inspire others seven years later.
Tallahassee Ford general manager and managing partner Bill McKinney didn’t know Cam Brown.
“Through hearing and getting to understand what was going on in his life and how he was able to preserve. That’s amazing.”
When he had to chance to help make sure Brown’s legacy would continue, it was one he knew he wanted to be involved with.
“He was looking around for someone who wanted to step up in the community and help out and help remember Cam,” said service manager Ricard McMullen.
“We can no longer sell tickets to students to get them out of seventh period,” said Florida High wrestling coach Clay Allen.
A yearly wrestling tournament has helped Allen fulfill his promise to make sure Brown would never be forgotten. From the tournament, he’s funded the Cam Brown Memorial Scholarship, but this year, he needed some help.
“My wife Whitney came to me and said coach Allen had a neeed this year for a sponsorship and a little bit of help,” said McMullen. Whitney works at Florida High. “Bill was pretty much all in. He didn’t even really have me finish the sentence on it.”
Tallahassee Ford stepped up, donating $1000 for the scholarship, which will be awarded to two graduating seniors.
“It’s a drop in the bucket in the investment of the youth, because what if there’s another Cam Brown and that personality out there that we need to encourage them and continue to mold them and do everything we can to that next step,” said McKinney.
“For them to understand who Cam was to our program, to our school, and what that scholarship means to these kids that get it,” said Allen. “For them to understand that and say you know what, we will fund that scholarship for you, is unbelievably tremendous.”
A tribute to Brown, and the impact he’s had on those that knew him best, and those that didn’t know him at all.
“When they’re around you, you know it and you feel it, and you gravitate towards them,” said McKinney.
That’s a legacy worth keeping alive. The Cam Brown Seminole Classic starts Friday and wraps up on Saturday at Florida High.
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