The Coach & Grace

Eighteen years ago, former Alabama football coach Gene Stallings made a difference in the life of a grieving woman and her beautiful newborn. It's a story about love and compassion, a story that has not been told until now. This is the story of The Coach and Little Grace. Her heart was heavy on Mother's Day 2002. Laura Davis was depressed and confused as her first child slept at her side. Was she crazy to feel so sad, so hopeless? After all, her daughter Grace was a mere 14 days old- 27-year-old Laura Davis was supposed to be happy. As Grace slept, Laura asked God for answers. How was she supposed to care for a child with Down syndrome? How was she supposed to see the future as her child had just been diagnosed with two holes in her heart? How was she supposed to have hope when her doctor told her that little Grace would never walk, talk or read? Her husband was doing his residency in Columbus, Ohio, and while Chris was working hard, Laura cried. She was overwhelmed. She missed her hometown of Vestavia Hills. She missed talking about life and Bama football with her friends. And getting out of bed? It just wasn't happening. The phone rang, and Laura took a deep breath, inhaling tears that had fallen from her eyes. "Hello", said Laura. "Hello, Laura, this is Gene Stallings. I wanted to call to wish you a Happy Mother's Day." Laura's heart jumped. Was it really THE Gene Stallings? From her beloved Crimson Tide? Why in the world was Gene Stallings calling Laura Davis, who was in Columbus, Ohio? "I also want to congratulate you on your newborn, Grace." How in the world did Coach Stallings know about Grace? The two exchanged pleasantries, and then the former Alabama football coach revealed why he was really calling: To give Laura Davis hope. To get her out of bed. The coach proposed a question to Laura: "What is the one thing that you want for little Grace- you want her to someday go to heaven, right?", the coach asked. Said Laura, "Of course!" And then came just one of many bits of advice that the coach offered up: "Well, Laura, Grace has a one-way ticket, because God loves her, and so do you. You may not know this right now, but you are in for the ride of your life. You will never stop loving little Grace." And another piece of advice from the coach: "If the Lord asked me if I would rather have had John Mark the way he is or had him as a "normal" child, I would tell Him that I would rather have had Johnny just the way he is." Coach Stallings said "goodbye" and hung up his phone. The tears in Laura's eyes returned, but this time, they were happy tears. She had chill bumps. Little Grace remained next to her, asleep. We never know when that moment might come, but on Mother's Day 2002 that moment came for Laura Davis. She closed her eyes and prayed, promising God that she was going to make the most of Grace's life and offer her daughter every ounce of love that she could muster. And the call from the coach? It prompted Laura to get out of bed and start the journey. It wouldn’t be long before good things started to happen: The two holes in Grace's heart closed on their own. Grace smiled. Physical therapy began, then speech therapy. Laura and Chris would move back to Vestavia Hills as Grace turned two. Years of hard work followed. Reading, writing, speaking. Vestavia Hills' special education teacher Jennifer Greer came into their lives. Grace blossomed as a cheerleader, a student and a friend. God was good. And now for the cherry on top: Three days ago, Grace Davis, the girl who was doubted, mocked, and given little chance to live a fulfilling life, graduated from Vestavia Hills High School. Grace will enter Auburn's "Eagles" program this fall. Yes, 18 years after doctors doubted her, Grace Davis will be going to college. Chris and Laura Davis are enjoying life in Vestavia Hills. Chris is an ENT doctor, and their sons Jack and Will are growing fast. Laura tells me that she will never forget Mother's Day 2002, the day that she received an unexpected phone call not from a football legend, but rather from the father of a Down syndrome child. It was a phone call that motivated Laura to get of bed and look to the future. A future that ended up being more amazing than she could have ever imagined. And now you know the story of The Coach and Little Grace. A story with a happy ending. University of Alabama Athletics The University of Alabama #GoodNews