Mike and Maurkice Pouncey, two star offensive linemen from Lakeland, FL who now play for the University of Florida Gators, are going through a tough time. In prepping for this week’s rivalry game against Florida State, they received a call that their father, Ron Webster, had lost his leg in a rail car incident while working at his job at Lakeland Cash Feed Company.
Webster, who is the twins’ stepfather, married their mother, Lisa Lewis when the boys were 1 year old. The couple will be celebrating their 15th wedding anniversary on December 26th.
That’s the only father we ever known, so that’s our dad, said Mike Pouncey. Our biological father, he ran out on us when we were 1. We haven’t ever known anybody else to be our father.
You have to give credit to where it’s due, Maurkice Pouncey added. That’s our father. We’ve never seen our whatever-he-is-to-us.
I’m sure that any of you who have followed the careers of these two fine young men will agree that Mr. Webster and his wife Lisa have done a fine job raising them.
By the way, the Pouncey brothers were in today’s game at their father’s request, and they played key roles in helping secure a 45 to 15 Gator victory over the Seminoles.
Some may argue that they should have stayed home with their Father, but as always, they honored him by doing as his said:
He said, ‘I want you to get back there and practice. I want you to beat FSU, go on to Atlanta, and then I’m going to be there in Miami with you’
As a matter of note, it also speaks very highly of the UF Football Coaching staff, as Head coach Urban Meyer, defensive coordinator Charlie Strong and other members of the staff came to Lakeland to see the Pounceys for this visit.
My friends, this is what football at all levels should be about.
If you know them personally, or would like to relay your sympathies, I’m sure Mr. Tom Zebold, who wrote an excellent Lakeland Ledger article on this topic , would be willing to help you get a card or note to the family. He can be reached at tom.zebold@theledger.com or 863-802-7553
Zebold also does his Lakeland, FL and surrounding area readers a great favor by providing the following breakdown of a Sports Illustrated Article on these two young men. Do yourself a favor and read it.
Twice The PowerIf you are a fan of the Florida Gators, and of the Pouncey twins, then you should check out the Nov. 17 issue of Sports Illustrated.
SI’s Albert Chen did an in-depth feature on former Lakeland Dreadnaught stars Maurkice and Mike Pouncey, who have been anchoring Florida’s offensive line this season.
The story tells about the how inseparable the twins are, their path to UF and what they’ve done this season. It even has some quotes from teammate Chris Rainey, who is another former Dreadnaught. - Tom Zebold
If you don’t already have a copy of the magazine or can’t find one, to go online to http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1148522/index.htm
I hope you found this post useful! As always, if you or anyone you know is in need of a local Florida mortgage loan originator, I’m your guy. Call me at 888-859-7418 or apply online for your Florida mortgage. We’ll keep you posted and let you know when it’s time to pull the trigger!
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