Everyday at the end of football practice we all gather together for a breakdown which ends with us chanting the phrase “Panther family.” Recently we lost a member of our Panther family. Andrew Parker (class of 2010) passed away after being involved in a fatal car accident in Gainesville. During his time at Palmetto, Parker was a key member of the football team. After his freshman season on JV, Parker, along with other players from the class of 2010, were moved up to the Varsity squad and forever changed Palmetto’s football program. Although considered undersized for his position by many, at 6’0 165 lbs Parker won the Defensive End of the Year award and he led the Panthers to the second round of the playoffs, a feat Palmetto hadn’t achieved in over 50 years. His senior year coaches moved Parker to the linebacker position, allowing him to take full advantage of his natural ability to read the offense and find the ball carrier. Parker was an emotional leader on the team. Whether it was making a critical play in a game or getting others to participate in his pre-game antics, Parker could always get the team going. Parker played the game of football like it was meant to be played: aggressive and with passion, all while having a lot of fun.
Although Parker was a great football player, his greatest contributions to the school were his actions off the playing field. Parker had a presence that you could feel anytime he entered a room. The combination of his witty jokes, signature smile, and always-perfect hair could lighten any person’s mood. One of the greatest things about Parker was that he never judged people for the color of their skin, the clothes they wore, the way they talked. He not only made friendships and connections with a variety of people, but also introduced others to his friends and connected people that under normal circumstances would never even think about approaching or becoming friends with one another.
Parker made a positive impact on the Panther community. He was a good student, a good football player, and a great individual. He should forever be remembered and looked up to as what any Palmetto Panther should strive to be.
You will be forever loved, and forever remembed. R.I.P Andrew Parker, #7.
