This is an opinion piece.

Minor head football coach Adrian Abrams has the fondest of memories of former Tiger William Hardrick.

“He loved the game, loved people, loved the process,” Abrams told me this week.

Hardrick, who signed with Austin Peay out of the transfer portal after playing the 2024 season at Miami of Ohio, died Tuesday night in an automobile accident in Limestone County. He was just 22.

It was part of a tragic day on the roads in Alabama. Earlier in the day, Wilcox Academy coach and teacher Woodie Beck was killed in a horrific multi-vehicle crash in Thomasville. Beck was 53. Ashley Marie Springer McDonald, 37, also died in that accident.

“You never know when life might be cut short,” Abrams said. “It’s important to tell people you love them whenever you have a chance. Let people know that you care about them.”

Beck was an assistant football coach, head softball coach and P.E. teacher at Wilcox Academy in Camden. Michael McLendon, executive director of the Alabama Independent School Association, said he was a steady presence in the lives of young people.

“Coach Beck has been a dedicated leader in the AISA for decades,” McLendon said. “He was one of the most respected and beloved coaches in our association, known not only for his success on the field but for the depth of his character and the strength of his relationships.”

In addition to Wilcox Academy, Beck had worked at his alma mater, Patrician Academy, along with Marengo Academy and South Choctaw Academy. All are member schools of the AISA.

“I will deeply miss our conversations,” McLendon said of Beck. “On behalf of the AISA, our prayers are with his family, his friends and the thousands of students, athletes and colleagues who have loved and learned from him over the years.”

The investigation into that accident is ongoing.

When things like this happen, it’s a struggle – even as a Christian – to understand why. Believe me, I’ve felt it on multiple occasions in recent months. We don’t know the answers, and it’s human to have to cope with that. But what I do know is that God is with us through the suffering, and I’m eternally grateful for that. I hope that is a comfort for coach Beck’s family and school and for William Hardrick’s family.

Hardrick played wide receiver for coach Abrams at Minor High School in Birmingham before switching to defensive back in college. He was originally committed to Arkansas State but flipped to Mississippi State when the Bulldogs offered two days before National Signing Day.

The 2021 Minor graduate spent two seasons with Mississippi State before transferring to Miami of Ohio and spending two seasons there. He joined the Austin Peay program this spring, allowing him to move a little closer to his Alabama home.

“The thing I remember most about him because he was a pleasure to coach was that he loved to practice,” Abrams said. “That is what separated him. I told college coaches who came through that it is a joy to coach kids who love to practice. A lot of kids walk to practice like they are walking the Green Mile. Will came to practice everyday with a smile on his face. Joy exuded from him.”

Abrams said Hardrick also was “really, really fast” and took great pride in his route running and his blocking.

“It goes back to being an overall good teammate,” Abrams said. “Will wasn’t afraid to work.”

Because of Hardrick’s speed, teammates and friends always wanted to race him, Abrams said. One poignant story in particular personified the player and the human being that helped separate Hardrick.

“He was racing someone one time on concrete,” Abrams remembered. “Will tripped and fell at the finish line and had bad road rash on both his palms. I thought he would be out for practice all week. We were making plans for how to move forward.

“He came in with both hands bandaged up like he was a boxer and said, ‘Oh, coach, you thought I was going to miss practice?’ Before I could say that he didn’t need to practice, he’d already run off to one of drills. A lot of guys look for a way out. Will always looked for a way in.”

What a statement that is for William Hardrick and coach Beck, two men who served with joy, worked hard and had tremendous impact on those around them.

Two guys who “looked for a way in, not a way out.”

May God’s love strengthen their loved ones at this time and may we all be reminded once again that we are here for only a short time.

Make a positive impact while you can.

Make a positive impact like William Hardrick and Woodie Beck did.

Thought for the Week

“I still believe in Your faithfulness.

I still believe in Your faith.

I still believe in Your holy word.

Even when I don’t see. I still believe” – Jeremy Camp.

Ben Thomas is the high school managing producer at AL.com. He has been named one of the 50 legends of the Alabama Sports Writers Association. Follow him on twitter at @BenThomasPreps or email him at [email protected].