I know he's an alumnus of DC United, but I thought this should get a little "front page" recognition" From a link on Steven Goff's Soccer Insider, I learned of this: http://www.washingtonpost.com/sport...f-11e3-a7f0-b790929232e1_gallery.html#photo=1 I would like to think that all of our prayers and thoughts are with Shawn for complete healing.
Oh crap. I'm so sorry to see this. I wonder if scruggs still comes on here. He used to be in semi-frequent touch with Shawn.
Just read the article...I may have played with him once or twice through my church team (post MLS career), but didn't know him personally. I do have one or two friends that kind of grew up around the family.
Cancer is a scourge that has affected nearly everyone at least indirectly. It's particularly cruel when it violates the young. My hope is Shawn will come through it and that it can be eradicated forever in the very near future. I played with Shawn's dad on a beer league team for a couple of seasons. His sons were always on the periphery, kicking a ball around even if it came up to their waists. They lived and breathed soccer, so I always had an affinity for the Kuykendalls. I was not close or anything, but I admired the family from afar. I had the pleasure to play against Shawn some years later in a tournament. He was playing on an adult team (his dad's, I think) as a 15 year old. He played center mid and ran that thing. He was kind of a big deal, everyone knew who he was, he had trained in Holland and big things were expected. The only thing we thought would hold him back was that he was relatively tiny. Although he was a little general on the field, he never exhibited the arrogance of a typical soccer 'star' that I was so accustomed to seeing. Really impressive. I look forward to the story of how he overcame this obstacle and went on to become a top notch coach in the sport he loves.
RIP Shawn http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/03/shawn-kuykendall-cancer-kuykenstrong-mike-foss/#sthash.7VWJMjz4.uxfs
May he rest in peace. Shawn faced his disease with courage and humor.He had his faith, family and friends and when my time comes I hope that I can summon a small percentage of the fortitude he displayed until the end. A true hero.
Cancer is a scary thing. Seeing people go from healthy to completely devastated in a matter of weeks :/
It would take one heck of a guy to walk the line he did over the last few months with such grace. R.I.P. Shawn. I am praying for your family. http://www.washingtonpost.com/sport...169-11e3-a7f0-b790929232e1_gallery.html#item0
I did my A License course with Shawn January 2013. One of the funniest, goofiest, most personable people I've ever met. Such a nice change of pace from the egos and arrogance that seem to permeate so many players and coaches. Rest in peace, Shawn.
RIP and thoughts and condolences from Ohio. When I was 26 years old, I developed a sharp pain in my torso. X-rays revealed a baseball sized mass in my chest. Doctors told me there was a 30% chances it was some kind of lymphoma/hodgkin's disease, with an additional chance that it could be some kind of thymic cancer. Roughly a 50% chance it was something benign. They couldn't tell for certain until they did open heart surgery (complete with chest crack). I was one scared 26 year old. It turned out to be "just" a thymic cyst, and they removed my thymus. The Doctor said he'd never actually seen one that big before. I got lucky. When I read this story, I thought, "There but for the grace of God go I." (And I'm not a particularly religious person). Again, my condolences to the whole family and the DC United and NY RB clubs.