<TABLE cellSpacing=16 cellPadding=0 width=591 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=black vAlign=top align=left width=559>Redskins star visits ailing Jefferson man
Originally published October 04, 2008
By Ron Cassie
News-Post Staff
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</TBODY></TABLE>"Dear Mr. Cooley, I am writing this letter to tell you about my co-worker, Kathy Frazier, and her husband, Ron," began Jeanne Durkin's e-mail to Redskins star tight end Chris Cooley. "Kathy and Ron have been lifetime, loyal fans of the Washington Redskins since the team played in Griffith Stadium. They have been season ticket holders since 1991."
Ron, however, has not been able to attend any games this fall. The 52-year-old federal employee was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer two years ago.
"After a final 'Hail Mary pass' treatment in the summer, Ron has rapidly deteriorated," continued Durkin, who wrote the note unbeknownst to her colleague. "I am hoping the team will give Ron and Kathy one more joyful memory."
When the Redskins called back two hours after receiving her e-mail, Durkin informed Kathy that the team was trying to figure out a way for her husband to meet the 6-foot 3-inch, 255-pound Cooley.
"I didn't believe her," Kathy said. "I asked her if she had it in writing. She said, 'No, but I have a phone number.' I've been on pins and needles all week. When I told Ron it brought a smile to his face for the first time in days."
The Redskins asked if it was possible for Ron to visit the team for a practice, but he is no longer able to travel. Instead, Cooley drove to Jefferson from Virginia on Friday after practice to meet the Fraziers. Two dozen friends, family members and neighbors were there. When the neighborhood children heard what was happening, they ran over, too.
Cooley posed for dozens of pictures and autographed everything in sight: footballs; posters; pennants; photos; hats -- and, of course, a whole bunch of No. 47 jerseys. He stayed for nearly an hour, answering inside football questions, making small talk and discussing new coach Jim Zorn.
"What were the games like at RFK stadium?" Cooley asked Ron. "From what I've heard, I wish I was a part of the Redskins back then."
"Oh, man, you could feel the stands rocking at the place," he responded.
Cooley shared stories about his teammates and predicted they would do well against the Eagles this weekend.
He also queried about local fishing spots. Ron and his son, Russell, returning from college Thursday for Cooley's visit, enjoy fishing on the Potomac.
"I can't really put it (into) words what this means," Russell said of the visit. 'It means everything right now."
Cooley promised to send Ron a keepsake football if he scored a touchdown Sunday. He also talked about his mother, who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and has undergone radiation and chemotherapy.
"She's doing OK. I've gone with her to treatment a few times," Cooley said. "It's not fun."
Kathy and her husband both grew up in Prince Georges County as Redskins fans, watching Sonny Jurgensen, Billy Kilmer and Charlie Taylor. He graduated from Parkdale High School in Greenbelt in 1974 and she graduated a year later from nearby DuVal High School.
They start dating in 1984 -- in the middle of the Joe Gibbs-era heyday -- watching Redskins games together. They married soon after and in 1991 bought season tickets. They've been attending games with a group of friends ever since, tailgating together for the past 17 seasons.
"Section 141, row 12," Kathy said. "Ron and I sit in seat 9 and 10. The Redskins side, 35-yard line."
Kathy Frazier said she and her husband went to all the games last season and hoped to get to at least one this year, but haven't been able because of the illness.
"Knowing they (beat) Dallas last week, that made him glad. This however, is something else," she said.
The visit was a bright spot for Ron. "It was more fun than I ever thought it would be; he stayed a long time with all these people that were here," he said. "It was really good. It was great -- awesome."
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