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Richard Claypool Richard Claypool Richard Claypool
In Memory of
Richard Clayton
Claypool
1932 - 2016
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A Defining Moment

 It is with much sadness that I learned of Dick Claypool's passing. This event brought back many fond memories that I have of the Coach. I never knew Dick by any other names than Coach or Mr. Claypool. I had the privilege of playing varsity ball for Mr. Claypool during my sophomore, junior and senior years at Fairfax High in the years of 1965, 66 and 67. During those years Mr. Claypool assembled a record of 24-4-2 which was to become typical of the Coach.

Mr. Claypool was a tough guy; and he expected you to be tough too. More than that he demanded it. One memory stands out in my mind that illustrates the relationship that I had with him. It was the first football game of my senior year against Washington and Lee High. I played both ways in those days; offense and defense. Somehow a piece of exposed metal from a snap in my helmet cut into my neck just below my ear when I was hit. It cut a hole in my neck and bled profusely. I ran off the field and the team doctor sat me down on the bench to examine the injury. A moment later I heard the Coach yell, “Davey”. The team doctor yelled back, “He can;t go back in”. The Coach yelled back, “He has to”. I didn't wait for the discussion to end. I picked up my helmet and ran back into the game.

After that game Mr. Claypool came up to me, shook my hand and said, “I never had a better.” Wow, upon hearing those words, I was walking on air. Coach Claypool gave to me the greatest compliment that I could imagine. And these sort of compliments did not come easy nor frequently from him. One had to earn a compliment if you were to get one from this guy. I understood that at the time. If Dick Claypool gave you a compliment; it meant something. It did then and it still does to this day for me. That was nearly fifty years ago. It's one of those memorable defining moments in my life and my relationship with Coach Claypool.

Davey Williams. Fairfax High Class of 1968.

Posted by David Williams
Tuesday April 12, 2016 at 8:52 am
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