My son’s big and beautiful heart now beats inside the man who inspired him to become a sporting hero
STAR IS SAVED BY ATHLETE HE MET AS BOY
Konrad Reuland never forgot the day he met his sporting idol. He was just 11 when baseball legend Rod Carew visited his school, inspiring Konrad to pursue his own dreams of sporting glory.
The strapping 6ft 6in lad gave his all to become a professional American footballer, eventually making it to the National Football League with the New York Jets and Baltimore Ravens.
But last December he was killed by a brain aneurysm at just 29 – leaving a family bereft at the loss of their gentle giant.
As Konrad’s organs were harvested for donation, in accordance with his wishes, mum Mary, 55, told doctors: “Whoever gets his heart better deserve it – it’s a good one and a big one.”
She had no idea it was about save the life of Konrad’s own sporting inspiration – 71-year- old Rod Carew who had suffered a massive coronary 15 months earlier. The incredible coincidence is set to save even more lives as Rod and the Reulands, who live in Orange County, California, have met, become firm friends and are campaigning to raise awareness of organ donation. “I have promised them I’ll take care of Konrad’s heart – it’s roaring inside me,” says Rod, who spent 160 days in hospital and had three major ops before the transplant. “I have a second chance and whatever journey I take, Konrad is going to be right there with me, helping to save other lives.” Mary adds: “The universe connected the dots and bought us together. “To hear my son’s heartbeat again, through Rod’s chest... to hear a part of my son still here on earth. The
Tonly word to describe it is miraculous.” Rod was one of the most famous Major League Baseball stars of his generation, playing from 1967 to 1985 with the Minnesota Twins and California Angels.
He was a seven-time batting champ and in 1977 became the Most Valuable Player in the American League.
Rod had three children from his first marriage, but daughter Michelle, 18, died in 1996 from leukaemia. his prompted reclusive Rod to campaign for the US bone marrow donor register and he hosted an fundraising golf tournament for more than 20 years.
It was while alone on the golf course last September that Rod suffered a heart attack. He managed to drive his buggy to the clubhouse for help before collapsing.
He “died” twice and was kept alive by a battery-operated heart pump – but doctors warned he would not survive without a transplant. For the next 15 months he and second wife Rhonda prayed a match would be found – unaware that their two children, Cheyenne, 29, and Devon, 27, knew the person who would later save their dad’s life. For in another uncanny coincidence they had been classmates in middle school with Konrad and one of his two younger brothers, Warren.
Konrad’s mum, Mary, and doctor dad Ralf, knew he would be a sports star. He had “an unstoppable energy” and even began walking at seven months.
“He lived large, he ate large, he laughed large. His personality was just large,” Mary told the Los Angeles Times.
After a successful college football career the 19st tight end played 30 NFL games for the New York Jets and Baltimore Ravens. In November last year, he was training with the Indianapolis Colts and “in the best shape of his life”. But while weight-lifting in the gym Konrad felt “a click in his head” and developed a blinding headache behind his left eye.
He rang dad Ralf, who told him to go straight to hospital where an aneurysm was diagnosed. It burst the following day and Konrad never regained consciousness and was declared brain dead.
His parents knew he wanted to donate his organs and, before life support was turned off, Mary spent hours with her head on Konrad’s chest, listening to his heart beat.
“Something in me – maybe a mother’s instinct – made me memorise the sound,” she says, “and three months later I heard it again.”
At Konrad’s funeral, pals began asking Mary if Rod could be the recipient – as news of his op had also reached fans. So in January she rang OneLegacy and asked if Rod had her son’s heart. They confirmed it – and say it is the first time a heart has gone from one professional athlete to another. The families met at the Reulands’ home in March. Using Ralf ’s stethoscope, Mary and son Austin listened to Konrad’s heart beating in Rod’s chest.
Mary said: “My son’s heart is beating in your chest. You are part of our family.” Konrad would have been 30 on April 4, and the Reuland family went to visit his grave. They were surprised and delighted when Rod and Rhonda turned up too. Rod had brought a signed baseball bat and a note reading: “Happy birthday, Konrad. I promise to always care for your very priceless gifts.”
A truly heartfelt thank you.