Article originally from the Miami Herald

Coach Roger Pollard’s Life Celebration 

Coach Roger Pollard was a beloved Gables High teacher, charismatic leader, successful coach, talented author, and loving husband to his wife Shay and adoring dad of their twins.

He took his own life on January 24th, 2024.

Jonathan Vilma, three time NFL Pro Bowler who won a National Championship at the University of Miami and a Super Bowl with the New Orleans Saints, was a lifelong friend and teammate of Pollard at Gables High.

“Roger was a giver, focused on others,” said Vilma. “The outpouring of grief is evidence of the impact he had on all who knew and learned from him as a teacher, friend, coach and teammate.”

In accordance with Coach Pollard’s instructions, his wife Shay has made arrangements with the UNITE Brain Bank in Boston, the largest tissue repository in the world focused on traumatic brain injury and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). In Roger Pollard’s last act of giving, researchers will study his brain to see if there were any signs of CTE. Regardless of the findings, UNITE will continue to deepen society’s understanding of CTE in an effort to help prevent future tragedies.

“Coach Pollard was a class act, absolutely brilliant, and will be sorely missed,” said Jessica Landsberg, a former student and basketball player at Gables High who works as a local political consultant. “But don’t be fooled: as great a football coach as he was, developing great men and great students always came first – I’m forever thankful for the uplifting words from Coach Pollard when I was in my own basketball slumps.”

Talented Athlete and Coach

Roger Pollard grew up in Fairway Heights and made an early impact as an outstanding athlete in a community that produces more Division I and NFL football players than anywhere in the country. Roger attended Carver and Gables High and Pollard’s parents, Ralph and Cynthia, ensured that his athletic prowess was coupled with a strong moral base, a curious mind, and solid academics.

That combination resulted in Pollard receiving a scholarship to play football at North Carolina State, where Roger also achieved high academic honors. Pollard would always say that football was the tool he used to get his sociology degree and Master’s in Sport Management.

Successful Coach

After returning to Gables High to coach a few seasons, Pollard had the opportunity to coach at Middle Tennessee State. Pollard returned home after completing his Master’s degree to take over the head coaching position at Gables High.

Buddy Howell, who played on Coach Pollard’s first district championship team and went on to play at Florida Atlantic and four years of professional football with the Houston Texans and LA Rams, said that Coach Pollard gave his players and students someone to look up to that had gone to the next level and gave them the discipline and faith in each other to make that happen. “He showed and coached me how to grow as a leader by accepting adversity and fighting through it.”

Talented Teacher and Author

After 15 years of coaching, ten as a head coach, Coach Pollard decided to devote his full attention to teaching and writing. The author of five books, two on football strategy and technique and three on personal motivation and achievement, Coach Pollard loved nothing more than helping young people learn how to achieve their dreams and maximize their potential.

In the dedication to his The Book Everyone Should Read – Motivation and You, Coach Pollard wrote:

“To Tiger, Jordyn, and Shay, you are my foundation and ceiling, the pillars which I both rest upon and stand. My wife, without whom I would be lost, words would do your meaning no justice, know you are loved. My parents, Ralph and Cynthia, the first thing everyone is; a child. Your role as parents has and will always be that of perfection. To my friends, lifelong friends, acquaintance, and mentors. To the angriest of you, the calmest, the lawyers and accountants, all of you who have been, are or will be my corner: the most beautiful thing about reality is the infinite layers each moment of experience contains if you’re willing to dissect it.”

The pain that the community feels about the loss of Coach Pollard is the flip side of the love he showed us and the investment he made in our children and our community. It hurts so bad that his life was cut short because he had such an outsized impact.

So let us accept the challenge Coach Pollard constantly posed: What is your truth and what are you doing to discover it?

The family has set up a GoFundMe page for those wishing to make a contribution to the Jojo & Tiger Education Fund: https://gofund.me/284355fb

Warning: This story contains mentions of suicide that may be triggering to some readers.

Athletic beginnings

Corey Davis was raised in Union, New Jersey, and from a young age, football was his passion. Inspired by the movie Little Giants, he fell in love with the sport at just five years old. What started as a fascination with the game quickly turned into a full-blown obsession. Corey began playing flag football and later joined Pop Warner, where his skills quickly stood out. His heart and determination were evident both on and off the field.

Corey’s high school years were spent at St. Peter’s Prep in Jersey City, NJ, where he played defensive back, running back, and wide receiver. He made an immediate impact as a freshman, breaking the school’s record by scoring 32 touchdowns in a single season. He was known not just for his athleticism but also for his leadership and unwavering commitment to the team. Corey’s talent earned him a scholarship to James Madison University, where he continued his football career at the collegiate level.

It was during Corey’s second year at JMU that those close to him noticed subtle changes in his behavior. We knew he’d suffered a few concussions in high school, and did see signs of aggression and moodiness, but chalked that up to puberty. Now, without family to watch over him, seemingly small issues soon escalated.

Corey found himself involved in several altercations, leading to the loss of his football scholarship. Deeply remorseful, Corey knew he needed a fresh start. He transferred to Elizabeth City State University to pursue his dream of pro football, once again playing defensive back on the field.

Gradual decline

For a time, it seemed like the fresh start was helping Corey. But during a break at home, we again saw signs of trouble — depression, uncontrollable mood swings, and drug addiction which would eventually take over his life. After taking time off from school to get help, Corey never returned to finish his education.

The next decade was spent managing the mental and emotional battles marked by suspected CTE. Corey was anxious, irritable, and confused. He’d get into a deep sleep and not wake up for a long time. Conversely, he wouldn’t sleep for days because of hearing voices in his head.

Corey tried so hard to express his suffering to those closest to him but could never quite put into words what was happening inside. Despite his efforts to push through, the weight of his internal burdens became unbearable.

Corey took his life on June 11, 2024, at the age of 32. The manner of his passing and his behavior right before death reminded us of other football players who died and were later diagnosed with CTE. We immediately contacted the UNITE Brain Bank and donated Corey’s brain for study. It took a little less than a year for researchers to confirm he had stage 2 (of 4) CTE.

Corey’s passing was a devastating loss to us, his friends, and all who knew him. Even in his darkest moments, he never lost the essence of who he was. He was kind, caring, and always sought to make others laugh. His wit, sarcasm, and sense of humor brightened many days. Even through his problems, we knew Corey’s heart was always in the right place.

While his struggles were immense, Corey’s Legacy Story is one of resilience, passion, and a deep love for those around him. His life reminds us of the importance of understanding the effects of repeated brain trauma, and of the need to offer support to those suffering in silence.

For any families reading this story and dealing with a similar experience, we know it can be hard to understand why a loved one is suddenly changing. Still, we urge you to listen to them and support them as much as possible. We’ve also spoken to Corey’s high school football coach, who’s vowed to spread awareness around the impact of concussions to his young players.

Corey is best remembered as a talented athlete, a loving son, grandson, brother, uncle, and friend — someone who, despite his pain, always tried to bring joy to those around him. He will forever be in our hearts, not just for the challenges he faced, but for the soul he shared with the world.

________________________________________

Suicide is preventable and help is available. If you are concerned that someone in your life may be suicidal, the five #BeThe1To steps are simple actions anyone can take to help someone in crisis. If you are struggling to cope and would like some emotional support, call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 to connect with a trained counselor. It’s free, confidential, and available to everyone in the United States. You do not have to be suicidal to call.

Are you or someone you know struggling with lingering concussion symptoms? We support patients and families through the CLF HelpLine, providing personalized help to those struggling with the outcomes of brain injury. Submit your request today and a dedicated member of the Concussion Legacy Foundation team will be happy to assist you.