‘WANTED TO CELEBRATE HIS LIFE’
Pomperaug football to honor late teammate throughout season
Pomperaug’s Anthony Kosheluk caught the 21-yard pass from quarterback Zach Hartman. He took two steps into the end zone, scoring the only Pomperaug touchdown in a 20-7 loss to Bunnell on Friday evening.
A stampede of cheers from the Pomperaug student section and crowded bleachers erupted following Kosheluk’s reception.
Beneath the loud screams and applause was the faint but bold sound of the ring from an iron bell. But it was the meaning behind the iron bell, behind the extra celebration, that meant more than any touchdown.
With every ring, the memory of the late Ryan Rutledge rang out. Rutledge, who died in an April car accident, would have been a senior linebacker for the Panthers this season.
“Ryan was a typical, program kid,” Pomperaug head coach Tony Pereira said. “Ended up being, before he passed, one of our strongest kids and worked really really hard to put himself in a position to be a starter this year in his senior year . ... The kids got together and they wanted a symbolic thing for Ryan, so he could be with us on the sidelines even though he’s obviously not physically with us.”
Before Friday’s home opener, Pomperaug honored Rutledge by naming his parents, Anthony and Valerie, and his twin brother, Patrick, honorary captains for Friday’s game. The team gave the family a replica Panthers’ football helmet signed by all the players and coaches, and brought them to midfield for the coin toss.
“It was good to support them,
obviously they’ve been through a lot the past five or six months so it was really good,” Pereira said. “It was really good to see them and to see them be supported by so many people.”
Pomperaug has dedicated the 2021 season to Ryan, who would have been a starter.
“[The team] wanted to remember Ryan through hard work in preparing for the season because that’s what Ryan did,” Pereira said. “They were kinda full-steam ahead and they were looking forward and they wanted to celebrate his life through their preparations for the season and their hard work because that’s what Ryan would have done.”
The iron bell, which is a nod to Ryan’s work at Iron Bell Farm and Rescue in Southbury, is decorated with his football (46) and lacrosse (13) jersey numbers on each side. With every positive outcome, whether touchdown, tackle or interception, the iron bell is rung to remind the players who they’re playing for.
On Friday, it rang for Kosheluk’s touchdown and Will Despres’ 22-yard interception return.
In addition to the bell, each Pomperaug player also wears a ‘RR’ black and white sticker on the back of their helmets to honor Ryan.
Off the field, more than two dozen people filled the stands wearing matching red sweatshirts with No. 46 on the back and “Iron Bell Farm and Rescue,” on the front. The Rutledge family wore the sweatshirts, which were designed by Patrick and various friends of his and Ryan’s, along with other friends and family. Even various Pomperaug students who may not have been close with Ryan sported the hoodie in the stands Friday night.
“People are wearing them in honor and in memory and to celebrate Ryan,” Iron Bell Farms and Rescue co-owner Chris McAllister said. “It’s humbling. It speaks volumes to Ryan and the type of kid that he was and the support that the kids and parents and the community have for Ryan and the Rutledges.”
While Pomperaug (0-2) may have a long season ahead, the team plans to honor Ryan at every game — from the iron bell and the stickers on their helmets to senior David Evans carrying Ryan’s jersey onto the field before each game, home or away. Knowing Ryan is with them on the field and his parents in the stands will bring comfort and motivation to the team.
“He was a super kid,” McAllister said. “Super talented. Super humble. One of those kids you’re proud to know.”