‘Incredible person, player’ Gaddis ends his record tenure
The conversation about Ray Gaddis might begin with his exploits on the field: His speed, his defensive tenacity, his exemplary work ethic. But to confine praise of Gaddis to between the white lines of the pitch is to misunderstand all he’s meant for the Union.
That came to an abrupt end Thursday, but the spiritual connection to the only soccer franchise he’s called home promises to endure.
Gaddis, the longest-tenured member of the Union and its all-time leader in games played, announced his retirement after nine seasons. His departure leaves the team facing not just a hole at right back for the upcoming season but a chasm in the locker room left by a mentor and leader.
“The name Ray Gaddis brings a smile to my face,” manager Jim Curtin said via Zoom Thursday. “An incredible person, an incredible player, an incredible friend of mine through the years. I would just personally like to thank Ray … He did amazing things leading on the field but also off the field as well, and I’m incredibly proud of him in all his achievements.”
Gaddis cited this as “the right time to tend to some things here on the home front, here in Indianapolis for my family.” He said that the decision, which the Union learned of last week, wasn’t taken hastily, and expressed gratitude to the organization for giving him the space to make it.
Gaddis was drafted in the second round (No. 35 overall) in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft. Undersized out of West Virginia, he went on to be what Curtin called the “best 1-v-1 defender our league has seen,” drawing on testimony from the likes of Thierry Henry and his own observations during
an 11-year career as an MLS defender. Gaddis played 221 games, made 211 starts and played 18,702 minutes, all franchise highs. He tallied 10 assists but never scored a goal, retiring with the third-most games played in MLS history without a goal.
Gaddis nearly played more minutes than the 18 other players drafted in his round combined (20,165, though several, including former Union midfielder Warren Creavalle, remain active). Yet Gaddis wasn’t the first player the Union picked in that round. That went to Greg Jordan, who never played a minute.
Gaddis was playing some of his best soccer last year in leading the Union to its first trophy. He went from playing for inaugural head coach Peter Nowak to seven years under Curtin, from a regular bottom-feeding team to one that lifted the Supporters’ Shield in his final regular-season game.
Ernst Tanner, the Union’s sporting director, called Gaddis, “a master example for a professional soccer player.” It’s why Curtin said, “the next step for Ray Gaddis should be the Union Ring of Honor,” which contains only Sebastien Le Toux.
But what Gaddis did on the field is a fraction of his legacy. A man of faith, he led Bible study classes for teammates and talks on faith and family with fans. He volunteered in Philadelphia and Chester, working
to alleviate hunger in under-served communities. His activism, Curtin said, involved dimensions the public never saw.
Gaddis took a leading role as a board member for the Black Players for Change group formed last summer in the wake of the killing of George Floyd. During the pandemic stoppage last summer in Indiana, he participated in prayer meetings, protests and a diein. Gaddis also earned his MBA at the Harvard Crossover Business Program tailored to athletes.
“I think it’s a great opportunity to have lived out my dream,” Gaddis said. “… I think soccer was the perfect balance, especially in the latter part of my career with obtaining my master’s degree and attending the Harvard Crossover Business Program where it actually allowed me to play better doing those things. It took off, I wouldn’t say pressure, but it allowed me to really focus on the game and see things from a different point of view. Seeing different things through a different lens allowed me to see the game of soccer and develop and continue to mature as a player.”
The door is open for Gaddis to return to the Union
in some capacity, and Curtin said Gaddis is pursuing his coaching licenses. He’s been outspoken about the lack of diversity in coaching and used his last press conference to praise the hiring of Marlon LeBlanc, Gaddis’s coach at West Virginia and a Black man, as the fulltime Union II coach.
Gaddis didn’t detail his next steps. But it’s likely they will follow the themes he set forth here, from his work in the community to his mentorship of young athletes in the locker room to his winning personality. That carried over Thursday into expressions of gratitude, not just for management, ownership and teammates, but for trainers, administrative staff, video crews, Subaru Park ushers and stadium attendants.
In the same way that Gaddis’ work was never bounded by the soccer field, it’s certain what made him special as a player and leader will apply in his next professional chapter.
“Soccer is not the only thing that defines Ray Gaddis,” Curtin said. “He’s going to go on to do amazing things in his community back home and beyond, and I look forward to watching all that he achieves from afar.”
DEAR ABBY » I’m married to the most patient, loving and wonderful husband in the world. Recently, I had a falling-out with his friend group. I admit I was not a good friend due to mental illness, and I know I may never earn their forgiveness. I’m taking responsibility for my actions and seeking help. Now I want to move on and forget I ever knew them.
The problem is, my husband still hangs out with them. He defended me when they talked negatively about me, and continues to support me in all my struggles, but they’re still buddy-buddy as if nothing ever happened. I can’t help but think how awkward it is that he hangs out with a bunch of people who hate me.
The last thing I want is to break up a friendship, and I know it’s petty to be angry that my husband still hangs with them, but it still leaves a sour taste in my mouth. How can I learn to let go knowing they will be a constant presence in my life and a reminder of how horrible I was?
— Keeping distance
DEAR KEEPING » You have a mental illness and you acted out. Your illness caused it, and it does not make you a bad person.
You cannot wave a magic wand and expect this to go away. You have already taken an important first step by admitting to yourself that you have a mental illness. If you are now in treatment, you have also taken the second step. When you are strong enough, apologize to his friend group for any pain, embarrassment or disruption you caused during an “episode” and assure them you are working to get better.
You should not expect your husband to drop his friends because you messed up. They probably WILL be present in your lives for the foreseeable future, but that doesn’t mean you will always be at odds.
DEAR ABBY » We moved into a beautiful new house a few months ago, and we’re having an issue with a neighbor whose dog barks all night. This has been going on since the first night. I have tried to ignore it. I wear earplugs or put a pillow over my head, but nothing helps, and it’s starting to affect my mood because I’m not getting enough sleep.
I’m receiving mixed advice from family about whether I should talk to the neighbor in person or anonymously submit a complaint with the city. I would go in person, but I’m somewhat shy, and I’m not sure how to start a conversation like that with someone I’ve never met. Any advice on this would be so helpful.
— Sleep-deprived in Arizona
DEAR SLEEP-DEPRIVED »
It would be interesting to know WHY your neighbor’s dog barks all night. Is it neglected, hungry or thirsty, tied up outside and wanting to come in? Because you are shy, write your neighbors a polite letter explaining that their dog’s barking is preventing you from getting a good night’s sleep and ask if they can do something to help you out. Give them a chance to rectify the problem. However, if the animal is being ignored and mistreated, contact the animal control department in your city and report it.