A legendary coaching figure in DeKalb County has left an indelible mark on the community. Coach William "Buck" Godfrey has died at the age of 83.
In his 30 years at Southwest DeKalb High School, Godfrey won 273 games, 13 regional championships and a state 4-A title, making him the winningest football coach in DeKalb County history.
According to his daughter Rashan Ali, service and kindness were the standards that guided her father's life. "I grew up around greatness. I grew up around someone whose impact was never about them," she said.
Ali shared a story about how her father's humility made it hard for him to accept honors, including the renaming of Panthersville Stadium to William "Buck" Godfrey Stadium in 2015. "I had to be the one to say, 'Daddy, please. Please let these people honor you in this way.' Because when I tell you he was humble to a fault … Almost like you have to let people love on you," she said.
As a testament to Godfrey's impact, he was inducted into four sports halls of fame and helped over 300 students get scholarships for higher education. Ali remembered her father's love for everyone, not just football players. "Not just football players. We're talking lunch ladies, we're talking janitors. My daddy had a love for everybody. He did it in his own way, but he just loved people, and he wanted to see the best out of young people," she said.
Godfrey's legacy will live on through the community, with his daughter saying, "When you've been loved so well, it's really hard to sit in sadness." A public memorial service is planned, but the date has not been set yet.
As the community comes together to mourn the loss of Coach Godfrey, they will remember his love, kindness, and dedication to his students and the community. His daughter Rashan Ali said, "I'm gonna miss those text messages. That would brighten my day." The community will continue to celebrate his life and legacy, with the renaming of Panthersville Stadium serving as a lasting tribute to his impact.
Rashan Ali said, "I was Coach Godfrey's daughter before I was ever Rashan Ali, and you see my smile because when you have been loved this well, you can't sit in sadness."
Source: Yahoo Sports