Gators Junior Joey Ivie Develops Special Connection with Grieving Louisiana Family
Sunday, October 25, 2015 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- She prepared for the moment in her mind, but when the moment arrived, Laryn Knapp did what she has done so many times since July 4.
"I cried the whole time,'' Knapp said Saturday from Louisiana.
On the summer day America celebrates its birthday, the Knapp family mourned the loss of oldest son Gavin.
Twelve-year-old Gavin Knapp died when an ATV he was a passenger in flipped during a sharp turn and landed on him.
His death drew an outpouring of support from his hometown of Denham Springs, La., which is a short drive into Baton Rouge on Interstate 12.
"He was my best friend, my side kick, my selfie partner, my cheek wet-kisser, my 20-a-day texter,'' Laryn wrote on her Facebook page a few weeks after Gavin's funeral. "I am so lost without him and hurt more everyday."
Laryn remains uncertain of how she and her youngest son, 10-year-old Bogie, were first connected through social media with Gators defensive lineman Joey Ivie. The same is true for Ivie. He remembers a woman from his hometown hearing of Gavin's death and sharing the story with someone he knows.
Gavin's story hit Ivie hard.
He lost his sister Jordan to a car wreck earlier this year and was touched by the outpouring of support his family received on social media. When Ivie learned the middle school football player was a diehard Florida Gators fan, he contacted the Knapp family on Facebook.
He soon developed a friendship with Bogie and called him to offer encouragement.
"I was sympathetic and as compassionate as I can be,'' Ivie said. "I just told them to stay strong and that God didn't make any mistakes and that you need to be here for each other through these hard times. You stick together and keep each other lifted."
The messages continued into Ivie's junior season with the Gators and when the Gators arrived at Tiger Stadium a week ago for their game against LSU, the Knapp family waited anxiously as the players got off the bus.
The moment had arrived. Ivie was about to meet Bogie, Laryn, her husband John, and one of Gavin's best friends.
"He told me he knows how we're feeling,'' Laryn said. "His family knows how it feels for another family's loss. He was so sincere about it."
Ivie spent several minutes talking with the Knapps. They took photos together, Ivie gave Bogie an autographed football, and when the Gators came out for pregame warmups, the Knapps were on the field to take pictures of Gavin's favorite team.
Part of Gavin's legacy is how many LSU fans he has rooting for the Gators these days.
A social media campaign -- #FlyHighGavin -- has overtook Live Oak Middle School, where Gavin was to start seventh grade this fall. On Tuesdays of each week, students wear a Gators T-shirt in honor of Gavin.
"The only boy that can get a bunch of Tiger fans to wear blue and orange,'' reads the shirt on the back.
Gavin's friends have rallied around the Knapp family offer their support, several attending the school prom recently in Gators ties. Florida head coach Jim McElwain mailed a signed football that is now housed on a shelf in honor of Gavin in the family's living room.
His passion for the Gators was real in the heart of Bayou Country. He once had a school assignment to do a project on a football player.
In his mind, only one player was worthy of that task.
"From the time he was 4 or 5 he loved Tim Tebow,'' Laryn said. "That's how it got started. We kind of picked up on it. All he would wear was blue and orange. He kept up with them every year.
"He said, 'mom, I promise you when I get 18 and I graduate high school, I want to move you to Gainesville because I want to go play for the Gators.' He was dead set on it."
The days and nights have been difficult for Laryn since Gavin's death.
She misses his big smile and kind spirit.
The family has a goal of establishing a scholarship to UF in Gavin's honor to share his passion for the Gators.
"That's what Gavin wanted,'' Laryn said.
Like his older brother, Bogie now has a favorite Gator, No. 91.
"For Bogie, he finally got to put a face in real life to their conversation,'' Laryn said. "He was just so excited. I can't even explain how excited he was. He just looks up to Joey for the way he reached out to us. I think it's always going to be in his heart."
Life goes on for Ivie and the Knapps. Ivie has developed into a key contributor on Florida's defensive line. Bogie is an offensive lineman on his team.
Laryn and John continue to manage the best they can, boosted by the support of family and friends and people who never met Gavin.
People like Ivie.
"I don't know who put us in touch with him,'' Laryn said. "At that point, I was just in awe. God is working miracles here because this just doesn't happen."
Ivie understands. After Jordan's death, people he didn't know reached out and made the toughest days a little better.
He is glad to pay it forward.
"I never realized how inspiring things like that can be,'' he said. "It was a real heartfelt meeting. As players at a big university like this, we have to remember that so many people look up to us and it's important to be able to help people and inspire them.
"I let them know I relate to their situation. Their son was such a huge Gator fan. That is one of the biggest memories they have, just how much he loved the Gator football program.”
