I just learned the news that Coach Wayman Grantham, Manchester Academy’s defensive coordinator, has died.
This tragic incident just proves once again that life is not fair. I knew Coach Grantham for about two years, and as the Voice of the Mavericks, we interacted often during football season.
He was not a talkative fellow, but when he spoke, he had something to say. I would often tease him by telling him if the opposing team scored, I was going to talk bad about him on the radio.
Most of the time, he would just laugh, but occasionally, he would reply with a zinger that called into question some of my limited abilities. We would both laugh.
Coach Grantham was in the hospital when Ty Walton, my 11-year old grandson, played in a tournament in Hattiesburg. Before he left, he told me that he was going to hit a home run and give the ball to Coach Grantham.
He hit the home run, but sadly, he never got to present the ball to Coach Grantham. All of the varsity players loved and respected Coach Grantham. They understood that he wanted all of them to be successful on and off the athletic field.
He was also the assistant baseball coach. He and I rode the bus many miles together. He sat across from me, and sometimes he was in a talkative mood and sometimes he wasn’t. I’m the type of person who likes to talk - perhaps too much, but when Coach Grantham was not up to talking, I tried to respect his wishes.
The last trip we made together we rode the bus to and from Columbia, Mississippi, to participate in a district baseball playoff game. That night, we crossed the railroad tracks on 15th street at exactly 12:00 o’clock midnight. But his journey was not over. He had to drive to the reservoir in Madison County before his day was over. The last words I ever spoke to him were, "Be careful and don’t hit a deer."
Coach Grantham has passed into eternity, but all of those players he coached, both at Manchester and Benton, will remember him for the great coach he was. His dedication to his team, his hard work, and his ability to put his teams in position to win will be remembered for as long as his players live.
That is a great legacy to leave. He will be missed.
