Gator fan Ian Lockwood dies less than a month after receiving a game ball after Outback Bowl
Saturday, January 29, 2011 | Football, Men's Tennis, Scott Carter
The night Urban Meyer announced his resignation as Florida's head football coach, Meyer left a packed press conference at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium and hosted Ian Lockwood at his home.
The morning he coached his final game, Meyer introduced the 18-year-old Lockwood to the Gators and had him speak to the team for inspiration at the team hotel in Tampa.
Lockwood had terminal brain cancer and told the team: “I would give anything to still be able to play football.'' Following the Gators' 37-24 win over Penn State in the Outback Bowl, Meyer and MVP Ahmad Black were joined at the postgame press conference by Lockwood.
Meyer gave him a game ball.
That was New Year's Day. Less than four weeks later, Lockwood passed away on Friday evening.
Click here to read a story from Lockwood's hometown newspaper, the Pensacola News-Journal, about the quick friendship Meyer and Black developed with Lockwood.
Lockwood was diagnosed with brain cancer in the summer of 2009. Lockwood underwent multiple surgeries and spent much of last year cancer-free.
However, tests in September revealed the cancer had returned, ending his football career at Navarre High. He played his final game on Oct. 8, scoring the only two touchdowns of his career in a 49-20 win against Milton.
According to the News-Journal, Lockwood is survived by his mother, Denise Lockwood; his father, Kenneth Lockwood; and his sister, Alyssa Lockwood.
Click here to watch Lockwood accept the game ball from Meyer after the Outback Bowl.
