FELLOW LITTLE LEAGUE COACH, FRIEND
Chris and I met because our children were friends from school. I didn’t find out that he used to be a Navy SEAL sniper until much later. I got to know him as a family man, an amazing husband, dedicated father, and loyal friend. Besides baseball, we shared a passion for hunting and the outdoors. We could talk about those things for hours.
Chris and I coached together in Little League baseball, one season of T-ball and one of coach-pitch. He loved the game of baseball and was already signed up to coach another season when he was tragically taken from us. He was great coaching the kids. The boys didn’t know of his military service or how many confirmed kills he had as a sniper. They looked up to him for being there and for his strict work ethic. Looking back, Chris always seemed drawn to the boys who were a little smaller or couldn’t throw as far because he was always ready to help anyone in need. He would take the extra time and work individually with them to build up their confidence and baseball skills.
This season has been bittersweet. The boys are really developing into good ball players and I know he would have loved coaching them at this level.
On the way to one of our baseball games the other day, my five-year-old son told me that he missed Chris and that he cried because he was so sad that he won’t ever see him again. He remembers Chris as the guy who he got to climb on like a jungle gym, who let him play games on his iPhone, and who always made him laugh by tickling him and lifting him up on his shoulders.
I consider myself lucky to have gotten to know the hometown dad and Little League coach. Hearing his SEAL brothers speak at his memorial service about the man, the myth, the legend, was an eye-opening experience for me and my wife. After his memorial service at Cowboys Stadium, my wife Jennifer wrote, “Today will be a day I will never forget. Such honor, truth, beauty, sadness, pain, rejoicing, tears, smiles, and respect. He wasn’t Chris Kyle to my family. He was just Chris. Watching the tears fall down my young daughter’s face said it all. He was her Mr. Chris. The man that hugged her, loved her, and always made her smile. Thank you for touching all our lives. We love you and miss you!”
Chris Kyle was a true warrior and an American hero. His legacy will live on through his family, his SEAL brothers, and all of us who were lucky enough to know him. Rest in peace, Chris.