Georgia Football Player’s Dying Wish Granted, Teammates Escort Him Across Football Field One Final Time


A Georgia teen’s dying wish was granted after losing his life to kidney cancer last week. Malik Sparkman was a talented 18-year-old football player at Coffee County High School who was being recruited by Florida State prior to his devastating cancer diagnosis last year. On Monday, the teen’s final wish was granted as teammates carried him across the football field at Jardine Stadium one last time.

WSBTV reports that Malik Sparkman asked for one last wish before he died. The teen said he wanted to go through the tunnel at Coffee County High School into the stadium with his teammates one last time. The team obliged and the emotional tribute took place at the stadium on Monday. Football players were seen carrying Malik’s coffin across the field and to the end zone for their final goodbyes. The players held their head high as they said goodbye to one of their own, but were unable to maintain composure as video footage of Malik began to play before them.

Malik’s girlfriend, Tia Williams, says that he was a fighter. She notes that Malik’s teammates are hanging in there but that everyone had a hard time at the funeral.

“He always said he wasn’t ever gonna give up and God has him. He was a fighter. [The football players are] hanging in there as a team. It brought their team closer. They’re strong. They did take it hard at the funeral, but they know he’s not suffering anymore. I know he’s proud of me. I’ve got a great angel watching over me.”

According to Douglas Now, a friend of Malik, Russell Flanagan, says that the funeral was like nothing he had ever seen, with everything coming together beautifully for the teen’s final farewell.

“I want to say that I have been to a lot of funerals in my lifetime, but I don’t think any have been as pretty as this one. Harrell’s Funeral Home did Malik proud.”

The community is mourning the loss of the beloved teen with nearly 500 people arriving for the funeral. In addition to friends and family at the funeral, biker clubs also came together to provide Malik’s family with an escort to the funeral from their home.

The story touched the hearts of many as they watched the community come together in support of a teen’s life cut all too short. What do you think of Malik Sparkman’s touching final goodbye?

[Image Credit: Coffee County Police Scanner/ Facebook]

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