Bigger than football: Coach's grandson leads the charge for Decatur football

Sitting in the stands of Seahawk Stadium on a Friday night in the fall, it’s pretty difficult to miss the giant inflatable Stephen Decatur football helmet that sits in the far end zone.

Inside stands the entire Seahawks football team as they wait to dash out onto the football field and take on whichever opponent has made the trip to Berlin.

One after the other, players sprint out of the helmet and are cheered by cheerleaders, fans, coaches and parents.

But on Friday night, in front of a packed crowd, those cheers were a little louder.

Like any other home game, the Decatur players piled into the helmet waiting for the team captains to give the go ahead so they could take the field.

However, standing in front of the unit, dressed up in Seahawks football gear from head to toe, was 3-year-old Eli Tadli, the grandson of Decatur head coach Bob Knox.

Tadli has become the heart and soul of the Seahawks’ football team over the last year. Just before the 2016 football season, Decatur Principal Tom Zimmer announced that Knox would take a year off from coaching to assist his grandson.

A year prior, Tadli had been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer called atypical/rhabdoid tumor, resulting in support throughout the Eastern Shore for the Knox family.

“A year ago, Bob’s family was given the worst news you could ever get,” Zimmer said. “To be a year later and have (Tadli) come out of that helmet, I told Bob that this would be one of the most special events ever in his coaching career. The community and Bayside Conference have been so supportive, and we may be different teams trying to beat each other on the field, but we’re certainly one big community.”  

BACKGROUND: Decatur football, community rally around Bob Knox

READ MORE: Longtime Decatur football coach Knox returning to the gridiron

After Tadli's treatment took steps in the right direction, Knox returned to the gridiron for the 2017 season, winning two of Decatur’s first three games.

But when the team rushed out for its Friday night showdown with Kent Island, all eyes were on Tadli, who led the charge from inside the helmet.

“It was a moment that he won’t forget, that’ll I’ll never forget, that my family will never forget, it was just like a prayer or a dream come true,” Knox said. “He’s still fighting day-to-day, but he’s fighting and he’s here and he loved it.”                                      

Locking hands with Decatur captains Dominic Klebe and Justin Mangianello, Tadli led the Seahawks over to the home team’s sideline.

Hundreds of fans rose to their feet, both from Decatur and Kent Island, to applaud the 3-year-old and show their support for the entire Knox family.

Tears rolled down Knox’s face.

On the field, Knox is a well-respected and successful coach, but away from the gridiron, Decatur's coach is simply a loving grandfather.  

“I think Bob was overwhelmed by the amount of support and the fundraisers that people wanted to do for the family,” Zimmer said. “This was a big night for people to see that little guy coming out with a smile on his face and his No. 1 Seahawk jersey on.”

As the opening kickoff took place, Decatur went to battle with Kent Island, ultimately losing the contest 30-3.

But on the sidelines, surrounded by his family and members of Decatur’s staff, Tadli was having a blast, throwing footballs, lining up for his own kickoffs and high-fiving players as they walked by and smiled at the young Seahawks fan.

Even as the game played out, Knox could be seen looking over in his grandson’s direction. Once he gazed on Tadli, his face lit up with joy.

Although Knox focused on what was happening on the field, it was obvious early into the match that win or lose, Decatur’s head coach was going home with a smile on his face.

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“It was so rewarding because he’s still here, and we try to make every day as good a day as we can,” Knox said. “The kid’s a fighter, and what can I say, he’s everything.”

It’s been a long road for Tadli in his three years on earth. He’s undergone countless treatments, seen many doctors and lost the hair on his head.  

But the Knox family is doing whatever necessary to give Tadli a normal childhood, while raising funds and awareness to fight the disease.

Knox’s daughter, Jennifer, is set to run in the Race for Every Child 5K run and walk which benefits the Children's National Health System in October. The race is designed to raise money for pediatric care and ensure medical staffs have what they need to do their jobs.

Hoping to assist, Zimmer announced that $1 from every $5 ticket sold on Friday night would go toward the event.

“There’s probably not one of us that hasn’t been affected by cancer somehow, and to see this little guy — it’s just not fair,” Zimmer said. “It was the least we could do.”  

Through his 30-plus years as Decatur’s head man, Friday’s pregame ceremony ranks near the top of Knox’s coaching highlights.

“Everybody was just so great, and it made it something I’ll never forget,” Knox said.

As he finished with his postgame meeting, Knox, with tears in his eyes, walked over to his family, and waiting for him with that same smile that had been on display all night was Tadli.

Through everything the 3-year-old has been through, his presence and the support he and his family have been given has sent a very clear message.

Some things are bigger than football.