The Angel Angle Issue #04

Friday December 1st, 2023

Jul 02, 2024

Three pinned topics to jump start your day.

In the second issue of my Angel Angle newsletter, I shared a screenshot of a message I received from Nick Crissey, who helped us trick our friend Chris about where we were taking him for his surprise 40th Birthday weekend. It’s been two months since Nick messaged me and just last week I received a message from his wife, Ellen. The message I received was on a day that admittedly, I had been doubting whether my book was having the initial impact I felt it could. Amidst balancing trying to be a good husband and father, running a company, donating my time to others, and still trying to take care of my own health and wellness, I know I haven’t put the effort into promoting this book I have needed and wanted. Nevertheless, Ellen’s message was the reminder I needed that what I’m doing is important and is helping others. Here’s what she wrote me:

I was in tears in the backseat of a car on my way to a concert with Maddie and handed her my phone so she could see the message. We both couldn’t believe that Ellen ended up in the same hospital both our boys were born born in, and being cared for by nurses wearing angel pins I had given them at both of our sons’ births. The universe never ceases to amaze me, and these full circle moments are what life is all about. Ellen and Nick congrats and cheers on the twin girls. You are in our prayers.

I didn’t grow up loving college football or even really following a team. I was always an NFL guy. I loved my Chiefs (and still do). Several years ago, my buddy Adam shared his Saturday morning routine with me via a picture of a big ol’ cup of coffee and his TV on in the background. College Gameday was his show of choice, so I poured myself a cup of coffee and flipped on the tube to see what all the hype was about.

College Gameday is famous for traveling to a campus each week during the season, to broadcast live from somewhere prominent. Fans show up bright and early for the chance to have a homemade sign featured behind the commentators. There are contests, celebrity appearances, musical performances, and hours of analysis about anything and everything college football.

But what hooked me that first morning wasn’t the fandom or the in-depth sports coverage. No, what reeled me in that morning was actually because of the reason I love sports most. The stories. I don’t mean articles with game recaps or predictions about upcoming and past games. I mean the human interest stories about the players, coaches, and super fans that find their way onto our television screens and into our hearts.

One such story had tears streaming down my face one Saturday morning sitting there with my five-year-old son Whitley cuddled next to me on the couch. This was the story of Shelton Douthett and a story I knew I was going to write about in an upcoming Angel Angle Issue.

Shelton and his older brother Wayne were best friends growing up as kids in Miami, Florida. Like me, they didn’t have a college football team they rooted for. That changed in 1995, when their father took the boys to the Orange Bowl with tickets their mother was given as an officer in the Miami Police Department. Shelton recalls he and his brother becoming instant fans. They became regulars at games, buying tickets, tailgating, and sporting jerseys. Shelton wore #32 and Wayne wore #72.

In 2009, they became season ticket holders and to get a jumpstart on the season, traveled to Tallahassee for the big road home opener against the Seminoles. A photo was captured of Miami fans celebrating in the stadium after their come from behind win over the ranked ‘Noles and in the picture Wayne and Shelton can be seen in the stands. Unknown to anyone at the time, this would be the last game they would ever attend together.

One night, shortly after that game, Shelton found his brother sitting up in bed, coughing and heaving and told his mom to take him to the hospital. He was diagnosed with walking pneumonia. After two weeks in the hospital, with his brother by his side, Wayne was released but had to return shortly thereafter with fluid in his lungs. After watching the first three home games with his brother in the hospital, Wayne asked Shelton when he was going to dress up in full pads and attend a game. Shelton promised him he would at the next game they went to together.

The night before a game Shelton planned on attending, because his mom and brother told him he should get out of the hospital and enjoy a game, they got a call that Wayne had passed away. Although he was devastated by the loss of his older brother, Shelton remembered his brother’s words to him about dressing up for a Canes football game in full helmet and pads.

He eventually attended another game and to honor his word to his brother, Shelton dressed as though he should be suiting up to play. He was suiting up to play but not for the University of Miami football team. He was suiting up for his brother and he has continued to do so for every game he has attended for the last fourteen years.

I spoke to Shelton a few days ago and for a guy who has now been featured on ESPN, CBS, USA Today, and many other local and regional radio and tv broadcasts, you’d never know he’s become somewhat of a celebrity. He’s as humble and down to earth as they come. In fact, when we ended our interview and I asked him if there was anything else he wanted to say or share, he said “You know, I just don’t want people to think I’m doing this for attention or anything like that. I never intended this to be about anything other than to honor my brother.” I more than believe him. Shelton is the real deal.

Being as moved as I was by this whole story and Shelton’s commitment to honoring his brother, I had to know what kind of ripples he was creating. I wasn’t sure when I reached out if he’d even want to talk but he was quick to respond and told me he knows his story is helping others in their own grief. At a tailgate once, he was approached and asked to meet another Miami fan who had recently lost his brother. Shelton was more than willing to take pictures with and even receive a hug from this stranger who told Shelton what he was doing was inspiring him to find positivity and strength in his loss.

Shelton’s mom, Gloria, set up a scholarship fund in Wayne’s name at the Marian Center, a school Wayne attended, and many who have been moved by this story have donated. As with the angel pins me and my family pass out, Shelton is a guardian of his brother’s legacy and is no doubt, helping thousands of others through his actions and amazing display of love and loyalty to his family. Shelton is more than deserving of this month’s SHOUT and I hope you’ll be as moved by his story as I was, to find your own ways to be an angel in the lives of others.

This holiday season if you’re looking for a way to really SHINE and spread some cheer, pick a long-lost friend or relative, someone you have lost ties with but want to reconnect with, or someone you keep meaning to get in touch with, and send them a card. Or send them some angels. Or send them Angel Man. Or all of the above. If you order my book or any angels before December 18th, I’ll make sure it reaches your recipient before Christmas. If you add code CHEER25, you’ll get 25% off your entire purchase AND if you want me to add a note from you, on the inside cover of the book, you can add that to your order, and I’ll make it happen. Thanks for reading. Have a great month!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Holiday Book Sale

All books ordered before December 18th with code CHEER25 can enjoy 25% off their order!

Angel Man is the perfect stocking stuffer and a unique way to show someone you care this Christmas season!

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