Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SANDY - Football means everything to Eric Kjar.
"It is his life," says his wife Andrea. "He is a student of the game. He's played it for years and years. He loves it."
Eric is in his 3rd year as the head coach at Jordan High School. The native of Kemmerer, Wyoming fell in love with the sport at a young age. He played in high school and also played quarterback and wide receiver at Wayne State in Nebraska. He was inspired to get into coaching thanks to the example of his own high school coach.
"It has helped me a lot in my life," says Eric.
He can't imagine life without football.
"No way," he says. "I'd go crazy."
But life without football almost became a reality for Eric. Three years ago he started suffering strange symptoms including headaches and tingling in his extremities.
"Something felt weird in my arms and legs," Eric remembers. "I kept trying to ignore it. I didn't know what it was."
The symptoms went away and tests couldn't find anything. He thought he was cleared but two years later the symptoms returned and became more severe.
"I knew something was going on then," he says. "I went really numb from the waist down and I was having a hard time walking. They did the right tests and I got diagnosed."
Tests confirmed that Eric had multiple sclerosis. All of a sudden his future in coaching seemed in doubt.
"I never felt sorry for myself. I was mad because that's how I usually get when something doesn't go the way I want it"
The anger quickly turned into determination. Eric leaned on the support of his wife Andrea, their four kids, and the rest of his family. He wasn't going to let the disease keep him from the sidelines.
"No. Not at all. I wouldn't let it," he says. "I wasn't going to let anything stop me. I wanted to push forward."
And push forward he did. Medication is working well and he hasn't suffered any flare-ups since beginning treatment. He didn't miss a single game.
Eric returned to the sidelines for the 2010 season and just months after his diagnosis he led the Beetdiggers to an improbable run to the 5A semifinals.
"I appreciate everything he's done," says senior receiver Taylor Dean. "He's gone through a lot of adversity but he always comes out on top."
"It was the most rewarding season I've had to this point," says Kjar. "They're a great group of kids and they were fun to work with. They were awesome."
Kjar's battle has inspired his players and shown them that they can also overcome adversity in their lives.
"He's a great example to us," says senior receiver Taylor Loomis. "He's an example of what we all need to be like to be successful."
"I appreciate everything he's done," says senior receiver Taylor Dean. "He's gone through a lot of adversity but he always comes out on top."
Kjar's battle has not only inspired his players but he gives hope to others who suffer with multiple sclerosis.
"Just because you have a debilitating disease doesn't mean your life is over," says Andrea. "You're going to move on and continue to do the best that you can."
Email: jjensen@ksl.com
Twitter: @JJSportsBeat
