Sometimes when you try to do your best, you end up doing your worst.
The worst, for me, happened on Wednesday.
And I am crushed.
In writing my ‘Food for Thought' column for that day's newspaper, a little nugget that is a regular part of the column and is intended to invoke happy thoughts for people ended up causing a painful memory for many.
In that column, I always ask the rhetorical question, “Whatever happened to ...” with the idea of getting people to think and recall the athlete named with fond memories of his or her accomplishments and endeavors.
On Wednesday, I asked, “Whatever happened to Leif Ellis?”
Ellis, you may or may not recall, was a standout athlete, having excelled in football and wrestling at Ringgold, where he graduated in 1996.
My memories of the Finleyville native were of a good, hard-working kid and talented athlete, thus the “Whatever happened to ...”
The only problem is that Ellis died in a construction accident in 2008. It was a tragic accident and one that completely slipped my mind.
I can only say that I hope those who were close to Ellis understand that I would never intentionally try to hurt the family by possibly bringing up a tragic memory.
It was after the column was published and the piece was out there for the public, I was reminded of his death and at first I was stunned.
Then I was devastated.
And to his family, especially his mother, Maxine, I apologize for my error.
I only hope I did not cause her and the family as much pain as I have brought upon myself.
I take what I do for a living very seriously and with a great deal of pride.
Such a mistake – even though being a mistake – is just unacceptable to me.
I truly meant to pay tribute to Ellis, who was honored as an outstanding scholar/athlete by the Mid-Mon Valley All Sports Hall of Fame his senior year.
After graduation, Ellis continued his football career at Geneva College.
His love for sports did not end after he was finished at Geneva as he later coached football at Beaver Falls and also coached wrestling at Ellwood City.
After his death, a scholarship was started in his honor to perpetuate his life while helping Ringgold graduates along the way. Each year, a golf tournament is held to raise money for the scholarship.
Such a noble labor of love for someone who left a great impression on those he touched.
In life, Leif Ellis was exactly the kind of kid I like to bring back to people's minds through the “Whatever happened to ...” notation.
I certainly didn't intend to bring up the kind of painful memories I'm sure I did with those who knew him most and loved him.
I can only hope this apology eases any pain.
Unfortunately, for me, it does not.
Jeff Oliver is a sports editor for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 724-684-2666 or joliver@tribweb.com.
