Now that he didn’t have to support himself while attending school, Upchurch flourished. “The next day, he called and said his mom said yes, and I was so happy-I started packing all my stuff, my underwear and socks, in paper bags right away. He asked a friend, Roddy Bolton, if he could live with the Bolton family. Thankfully, several local families looked in on Upchurch to make sure he was well-fed and had everything he needed.Ī year of self-support caught up with Upchurch. He spent the next year playing prep sports, but he also maintained the house, did all the farm chores, worked a part-time job, and did his homework diligently. That left him alone at the farm, and Upchurch briefly considered returning to Toledo to live with his mother.Īfter pondering the decision, Upchurch decided to stay in Holland and raise himself. The two did all the chores around the farm, but Upchurch’s grandfather began experiencing health problems.Įventually, Louis died of cancer while Upchurch was still in high school. His cousins had moved away, and it was just Upchurch and his grandfather. #SuperBowl50 #goldenfootball Rick Upchurch Springfield High School Presentation! #Broncos80 /2a8vUgiA7j He then applied those moves to the football field, and the local Holland youth coaches didn’t think twice about letting Upchurch run with the pigskin.īy the time he reached Springfield High School in Holland, Upchurch was a burgeoning athlete, but his time at home was becoming more difficult. Upchurch loved watching Chicago Bears running back Gale Sayers on television and practiced his moves. Slowly, but surely, he overcame his grief and put all his efforts into school and sports. He went into a depression so serious that Upchurch ended up repeating the grade. When he was in sixth grade, Upchurch’s grandmother died. “It was the best life I could have asked for,” said Upchurch. “I had only known my mom in the role of disciplinarian-it was always like, ‘Who the heck is this?’ After I found out who she was, I had more respect for her.”Īfter learning who his birth mother was, Upchurch would visit her at times. “I was really confused for a while,” Upchurch said. The only exposure Upchurch had with his birth mother was when she would show up occasionally and discipline young Ricky if he needed it. That’s why it surprised Upchurch when he found out his grandparents weren’t actually his parents when he was seven years old. Life on the farm became second nature, and the love he received from his grandparents was unconditional. “If you know how to do something, then you can take care of yourself, no matter what,” recalled Upchurch. In his youth, Upchurch didn’t really enjoy all the work, but it taught him an important life lesson shared by his grandmother. Upchurch’s grandparents, Louis and Beatrice, took in Ricky and two cousins to live with them on their farm outside of Holland, Ohio.įor the next several years, Upchurch’s life was filled with daily chores that included feeding chickens and pigs, cleaning the house, cooking, and going to church on Sundays. He was one of ten children born to parents who were not equipped to raise one child, let alone ten. RT to help us wish #BroncosROF returner Rick Upchurch a happy birthday! /nqUCyAqWaO Rick Upchurch was born on May 20, 1952, in Toledo, Ohio. His contributions to Denver helped the organization reach its first Super Bowl in 1977. DenverBroncos QBClub February 20, 2020įor nearly a decade, Upchurch was a dangerous kick and punt returner who could also scare opponents as a receiver. #tbt Hall of Famer chasing Ring of Famer Rick Upchurch. That’s what Rick Upchurch was for the Denver Broncos. Although sometimes overlooked, special teams are an integral part of a successful NFL team.Įven more, a good return specialist can be just as valuable to a franchise as a star player on offense or defense.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |