Collins tragedy fresh for a team still in mourning
Tomball will be missing a member of its football program this season after a tragic summer incident.
The Tomball community is still mourning after an escaped prisoner killed Mark Collins, 66, and his four grandsons — Waylon Collins, 18, Carson Collins, 16, Hudson Collins, 11, and Bryson Collins, 11 — at the family’s Centerville ranch.
Carson was a sophomore at Tomball last year and played football. Waylon was involved in the baseball program, had just graduated, and was an umpire for Tomball Little League.
Everyone in the program is wearing “Collins Strong” bracelets, Tomball football coach Dave Handal said. Special decals will also be featured on the backs of helmets this season to honor the family.
Handal said his team plans to present the family with Carson’s jersey in a frame before its first game against Stratford.
Handal said Carson’s number will not be retired.
Instead, he said, Tomball will establish a Carson Collins legacy jersey, with coaches picking one athlete on the team who has all the characteristics Carson modeled.
Junior Aidan Burnham is going to wear No. 5 this year, Handal said.
“Every year, we’ll have No. 5, so when the Collinses come to our games, there’s a No. 5 out there,” Handal said. “I think that’s the best way to honor him.”
Handal said it puts things in perspective.
“It fits right into our philosophy about getting better every day,” Handal said. “It’s all about today. Tomorrow’s not guaranteed, and we learned that the hard way, unfortunately, this summer with the losses of those guys. That’s how they lived their lives, and that’s how we’re going to live ours.
“It’s an unfortunate thing, but it’s brought us closer, and it makes us appreciate things a lot more that we get to do this. … It’s all about relationships and the memories you make. A big part of this year is that together aspect, that family aspect.”