TupaFan
08-11-2005, 06:10 AM
Overcoming September (http://www.dcexaminer.com/articles/2005/08/10/sports/nationals_wizards_orioles_redskins/redskins/001_all_skinsmain.txt)
Overcoming September
Tupa, family navigate repeated setbacks
By JOHN KEIM
Examiner Staff Writer
Published: Thursday, August 11, 2005 12:27 AM EDT
E-mail this story | Print this page
ASHBURN - The string of September misfortune started three years ago, a nasty streak that could have devastated Tom Tupa's family.
It didn't.
Every tale of woe could have turned tragic. Every tale of woe wound up the other way, hijacked by good fortune.
First came his mother in 2002, suffering from a staph infection. After her ordeal ended, a year later Tupa's nephew, Mark Tupa, was paralyzed playing for the freshman football team at St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland.
And, last September, came the toughest jolt for Tupa: His wife, Beth, was to start treatment for breast cancer.
"Septembers are unbelievable," he said. "We're going to skip September this year. The last few have been something else."
But the news, so far, is positive: his mother is fine; his nephew, despite what doctors originally told him, now can walk with a cane; and his wife is in remission, with a checkup upcoming.
Through it all, Tupa, entering his second Redskins season and 17th overall, maintained a stoic demeanor. He flew to Cleveland after every game last fall, returning on Wednesday so he could be with his wife for each treatment or doctor's visit. Then, late in the season, Tupa underwent tests after having chest pains. He was fine.
Tupa's plight wasn't known until coach Joe Gibbs talked about it last Friday.
Tupa's performance didn't suffer. He tied for first in the NFC, and second in the NFL, with a 44.1 yard per punt average.
"He didn't talk about it a whole lot," long snapper Ethan Albright said. "But he had a great year, no doubt about that. It's almost like Sunday was a relief for him."
Tupa talked to former Ohio State teammate Chris Spielman, whose wife had successfully overcome breast cancer. And, at one point after the August diagnosis, Tupa considered retiring so he could be with his wife and four kids (ages 10, 9, 7 and 5).
"It was tough," Tupa said. "We talked about it for a long time, but she wanted me here. She was unbelievable about it."
But his family pitched in to help. A family friend flew in from New York to occasionally help. It eased Tupa's mind to know his wife was receiving emotional and physical support from others. Being allowed to travel home helped as well.
"Coach Gibbs and [special teams coach] Danny Smith helped out a lot," he said. "I don't know how I would have done it."
Overcoming September
Tupa, family navigate repeated setbacks
By JOHN KEIM
Examiner Staff Writer
Published: Thursday, August 11, 2005 12:27 AM EDT
E-mail this story | Print this page
ASHBURN - The string of September misfortune started three years ago, a nasty streak that could have devastated Tom Tupa's family.
It didn't.
Every tale of woe could have turned tragic. Every tale of woe wound up the other way, hijacked by good fortune.
First came his mother in 2002, suffering from a staph infection. After her ordeal ended, a year later Tupa's nephew, Mark Tupa, was paralyzed playing for the freshman football team at St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland.
And, last September, came the toughest jolt for Tupa: His wife, Beth, was to start treatment for breast cancer.
"Septembers are unbelievable," he said. "We're going to skip September this year. The last few have been something else."
But the news, so far, is positive: his mother is fine; his nephew, despite what doctors originally told him, now can walk with a cane; and his wife is in remission, with a checkup upcoming.
Through it all, Tupa, entering his second Redskins season and 17th overall, maintained a stoic demeanor. He flew to Cleveland after every game last fall, returning on Wednesday so he could be with his wife for each treatment or doctor's visit. Then, late in the season, Tupa underwent tests after having chest pains. He was fine.
Tupa's plight wasn't known until coach Joe Gibbs talked about it last Friday.
Tupa's performance didn't suffer. He tied for first in the NFC, and second in the NFL, with a 44.1 yard per punt average.
"He didn't talk about it a whole lot," long snapper Ethan Albright said. "But he had a great year, no doubt about that. It's almost like Sunday was a relief for him."
Tupa talked to former Ohio State teammate Chris Spielman, whose wife had successfully overcome breast cancer. And, at one point after the August diagnosis, Tupa considered retiring so he could be with his wife and four kids (ages 10, 9, 7 and 5).
"It was tough," Tupa said. "We talked about it for a long time, but she wanted me here. She was unbelievable about it."
But his family pitched in to help. A family friend flew in from New York to occasionally help. It eased Tupa's mind to know his wife was receiving emotional and physical support from others. Being allowed to travel home helped as well.
"Coach Gibbs and [special teams coach] Danny Smith helped out a lot," he said. "I don't know how I would have done it."