Father’s Day a time to reflect on your iconic dad

By Ed Daniels, Sports
Clarion Herald

Fifty-one years later, I can still see that ambulance rolling down the street through a Kenner neighborhood.

In the back, was Ed Daniels Jr. It was the day after the Super Bowl, Cowboys vs. Dolphins at Tulane Stadium. And, Ed was heading back to an uptown hospital, never to return home.

All those years later, his hands are still on his only child’s shoulders.

He loved New Orleans. He loved New Orleans sports.

My mother used to wonder at times if he loved the games more than he loved her.

I didn’t want to speculate. I might be wrong.

This week, as Father’s Day approaches, in honor of your Father, do something for someone else to honor him.

Ben Parquet has done that for most of his life in St. Charles Parish.

Parquet has been a mentor for hundreds, maybe even thousands, of young men, some of whom were never blessed to know their Dad.

In a video produced by St. Charles Parish, Parquet, talked about all the people in his life who made sure he accomplished something.

“People committed to helping me be successful,” said Parquet. “So, I wanted to give back.”

Talk about a life well lived.

At the recent Zurich Classic, I was introduced to Mr. Parquet by his friend, Stacy Francis, who has been a mentor to numerous young men.

Stacy also could have said, a long time ago, that he was busy and didn’t have time. He always has time.

This week, I think about the many high school football coaches who have played such a prominent role in the lives of their players.

Years later, grown men have approached me to say the following:

“You remember coach (fill in the blank)? He taught me everything I know.”

The media, yours truly included, are fixated on wins and losses.

But, as legendary radio host Paul Harvey used to say, there’s the rest of the story.

At the Baton Rouge Regional this past weekend, I heard a million Skip Bertman stories. The man hasn’t coached a game in 22 seasons, but every day at The Box, media and players are swapping Skip stories.

That, my friends, is the definition of iconic.

The legendary LSU baseball coach, 5-0 in one-game championships at the College World Series, knew how to push every button.

A New Orleans high school legend who played for Bertman once told me the following: “Coach Bertman told me one day, ‘You are the worst third baseman I have ever seen.’ I was crushed. But, then, I took a thousand ground balls to prove him wrong.”

Skip Bertman, who was blessed with daughters, was a father figure to thousands.

The Skipper always had a quote posted with the lineup card in the LSU dugout.

My favorite:

“Whether you believe you can or you can’t, you’re right.”

If your dad told you “you can” – and then you did – then you are blessed beyond belief.

If you can still thank him in person, make sure you do.

Ed Daniels is sports director of ABC26 WGNO. He can be reached at [email protected].