A simple portrait of an impish 2-year-old girl with a shock of bright
red hair unleashed the tears that Orlando Predators public relations
director Dan Pearson had been trying to hold back all morning.
The puffy, red-tinged eyes of Pearson and other members of the
Predators staff reflected the triple punch of shock, grief and insomnia
they'd already experienced after learning of the sudden death of Coach
Fran Papasedero. But looking at the smiling photo of Vivian, the child
who inherited her father's trademark red hair and transformed a
menacing former lineman into a gentle giant whenever she was around,
reminded them even more of the reality of the situation.
There was now a little girl left without a daddy.
"This is just such an incredible, tragic loss," said Predators owner
Brett Bouchy. "I'm still expecting him to come through the doors,
laughing and smiling with his gregarious character."
Papasedero, 34, was killed Thursday night in a single-car accident in
south Orlando on his way home from dinner at Timpano Italian Chophouse
on Sand Lake Road.
Preliminary police reports say Papasedero's four-door maroon Lexus
sedan was traveling along the 5400 block of W. Sand Lake Road at the
time of the accident. According to the report, a witness said
Papasedero's car drove up behind him at a speed between 50-60 mph
before it swerved and struck a raised median on the right side of the
road. The car went over the median on to the entrance ramp from the
Martin Marietta complex and slid sideways, hitting the curb, and rolled
over about four times.
Papasedero was ejected before his car slid to rest upside down in a
ditch. Police said it appeared he was not wearing a seat belt.
The accident is still under investigation, and police expect to have a
full report in a few days. The cause and time of death were not known
as of Friday night. Police said it is not immediately known if
excessive speed, alcohol or drugs were involved.
Papasedero had been cited three times for speeding and twice for
failure to wear seat belts since October 1998, police records show.
Predators assistant coach Bret Munsey was one of the last to see
Papasedero alive. Munsey said he, Papasedero and four to six others
were eating dinner at Timpano when Papasedero decided to call it quits
around 9:30 p.m.
"He said he was heading home and left shortly after that," Munsey said.
Munsey would go home and go to sleep, not aware of the accident until
he received a call from Predators quarterback Jay Gruden around
midnight.
"I was asleep in bed when Jay called," Munsey said. "I said, 'Come on,
quit joking,' when he told me what happened."
Gruden said he received a call from Papasedero's girlfriend, Brandi
Tysinger, soon after police notified her about the crash. Tysinger, the
mother of Vivian, was visiting from her home in North Carolina and was
the first to learn of the accident.
"He was only about five or six minutes away from home," Gruden said.
"He's probably traveled that road hundreds of times. You've still got
to put it [the seat belt] on. You just never know."
Whether staff, players or fans, those involved with the Predators
organization always have considered themselves a family. And that's how
they reacted after receiving the news of Papasedero's death. Word
spread through a makeshift telephone tree, and many of the players and
coaches found themselves drawn to Gruden's home.
"They just started coming over," Gruden said. "They didn't know what to
do or what to say."
Some didn't want to say anything. Most couldn't sleep and preferred the
company of their friends instead of solitude. Gruden, who took on the
role of the players' spokesman, still was trying to grasp the reality
of losing a coach and a friend.
"I'm at a loss for words," Gruden said. "It's horrible. I've never
really had to go to a funeral in my life."
Papasedero's death revealed another devastating fact -- he died without
a life insurance policy. As the sole provider for his daughter, his
death left her without a means of support. Gruden said the Predators
coach vowed he'd eventually buy into a plan offered by the Predators
organization, but he kept putting it off.
In lieu of flowers, the Predators have requested that any donations be
made to a trust fund established for Vivian's support.
As the afternoon press conference ended, those gathered in the team's
corporate headquarters slowly filed out into the driving Friday
afternoon rain.
Two women carried with them a red poster-board sign filled with
signatures from staff members. They took it to Sand Lake Road and
placed it at the accident site.
The block letters spelled out a message they wouldn't be able to give
Papasedero in person.
"Coach Fran P, You will be missed."
By Shannon Shelton |
Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted June 21, 2003
Fran Papasedero | March 2, 1969-June 19,
2003
(Click here for Update)
