September 29 was an incredible and emotional moment for the massive crowd present at Southside High School’s Friday night football homecoming game, as a father with cancer kept his promise to his daughter and escorted her across the field at halftime during her homecoming coronation.
That powerful moment occurred in the normally sleepy town of Southside, Alabama, where Sara Kate Yancey was crowned homecoming queen and cheered on by the crowd alongside her father, Brett Yancey, who has esophageal cancer that had spread to his lungs but went to great lengths to walk alongside his daughter.
Local journalist Rick Karle, posting about the matter on Facebook, said, “It was weeks ago when Brett and Carrie returned from MD Anderson in Houston. The esophageal cancer that Brett had fought for 6 years had spread to his lungs. Six years of radiation and chemo and experimental treatments. Back and forth from Houston to Southside. Six years of the girls in many ways growing up on their own.”
He continued, “Yet, in the midst of his mayhem, Brett Yancey had the date September 29th, 2023 circled on his calendar: Southside homecoming. He was determined to make the 50 Yard Walk. “You can do this,” Carrie thought as she stood in the bleachers straining to see her husband. Daughters Savanna, a nurse- and Sydney, a Bama student- stood by Carrie’s side. Southside High School senior Sara Kate, Brett and Carrie’s baby- stood across the field on the visitor’s sideline, clutching her father. Ready to make the 50 Yard Walk.”
Brett’s wife, Carrie, noted that it was up in the air whether he would be able to, saying, “We told Brett that we would take him to meet Sara Kate on a golf cart. Brett has been very feeble- he carries oxygen with him- we were questioning if he could make it from the visitor’s sideline across the field to the home sideline.”
But he managed to make it happen. As the thousands of gathered fans watched, Mr. Yancey was able to walk alongside his homecoming queen daughter, escorting her to her homecoming coronation rather than riding alongside in the golf cart.
Carrie Yancey, commenting on the reaction of the gathered crowd and how it impacted her family, said, “There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.” She continued, “Sara Kate was crowned homecoming queen, and in a way, it gave my husband a burst of energy.” Ending, she said, “In a way, it was a cherry on top of his battle.”
Brett Yancey, posting on Facebook about the emotional moment a few days later, said, “My God is bigger than my circumstances and is the miracle worker. During these times there will be signs and wonders done across the land and I believe in it. God is my mighty warrior!!”
The Bible verse Mr. Yancey referenced in that post is Isaiah 41:10, which says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Check the pictures out here:
Featured image credit: Southside High School Facebook
