I knew who he was, but didn't know him personally. So I set out to find out a little more after I heard.
Stumbled upon his Myspace page and found a pretty accurate assesment on life:
"We all have zigged when we should have zagged but that is part of the big game that is life."
Unfortunately, the big game was cut short for 26-year-old Russell Mapp over the weekend. The 26-year-old, a former basketball and football standout at Boise High School, died in his sleep.
I can't give a proper eulogy for him because, like I said, I didn't personally know him. My memories of Russell tie back to my days as a sports anchor and reporter for KIVI-TV in Boise when I covered him on a semi-regular basis. Highlights of him on the basketball court and shots of him on the football field. Good athlete on some not-so-good teams, but he still found his way to Willamette University in Salem, OR, and got his college degree.
In talking to someone who knew him, it sounds like his heart just stopped as he slept Sunday night after being out with friends.
I feel sympathy for those who mourn the loss. It's never easy to lose someone close to you, especially so young. And, without ever having met or talked to the kid, I hope his passing serves as yet another reminder to everyone:
There are no guarantees, so take time to enjoy the ride. We all hope and assume there will be a tomorrow, a "next time," but we don't know it.
It sounds so cliche, but take a minute to look around. Before you step on the mat for that championship wrestling match or walk on the court for that district tournament game, take a second to soak it in because you may never get another opportunity to experience it. You can look around and acknowledge the moment without losing mental focus. What you can't do is get that precious little time-- the time where you're in the heat of battle-- back. Let yourself enjoy it. Let yourself enjoy life. There's so much to smile about and be thankful for, so do it.
Russell Mapp doesn't have that opportunity any more. Don't let his death-- even though you may not have known him either-- be in vain.