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Long Lost Friend; A Miracle Five Years in the Making

Tuesday, July 27, 2010 - David W. Ryan

It’s been five years now since Hurricane Katrina nearly destroyed the city of New Orleans and with it hundreds of thousands of families and friends displaced perhaps forever.

Seventeen year old Renardo Fox knows firsthand about this scenario as he and his family transplanted to Jonesville. Thanks to family in the area, the transition was not that tough on Renardo; it was leaving behind everything he had ever known in his short life including his best friend in the world.

The Block Bear cornerback gained a reputation last year for some highflying interceptions, good work ethic, and leadership skills. Now a veteran junior leader, Renardo and three other Block players headed to Baton Rouge last week and the LSU football camp.

Joined by Tanner Coldiron, Williams Cummings, and Jeremy Macklin, the group was not only looking to learn new technique and polish there game but maybe pique the interest of a college coach.

Standing out on the LSU practice field, Renardo joked around, “just chillin’” with his group when he looked across the field and saw his former best friend in the world – Michael Handy.

“I was in shock but I knew it was him,” Renardo said replaying the moment out loud. “There was no doubt even after five years.”

Renardo said he was walking over to speak with Michael, when he saw him coming and they met with a heartfelt handshake.

“We just started back like nothing was different. I asked about his mom, and family and what he had been up to?

“Yeah, it felt good to see him because I didn’t know what had happened to him,” Renardo continued to explain and said up until that moment he didn’t even know if he had survived Katrina or not.

The two visited as much as they could during the camp, exchanging phone numbers so they could keep in touch.

Renardo said he was pleased to finally have some closure about his former best friend Michael Handy, who now plays football for the Oakridge War Eagles, after transplanting to Conroe, Texas because of Katrina.

“We had no contact whatsoever in those five years,” Renardo said. “Now I know and I’m happy.”

All smiles for former best friends Michael Handy (left) and Block High School junior Renardo Fox when they met at the LSU football camp last week. Fox and Handy both had to transplant after the destruction of Hurricane Katrina and the two had not had any contact until this fateful day five years later.

 

Photo courtesy of Alisa Coldiron

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

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