Pay bills with pigskin

A mother’s love for her children may be the most unique and unconditional love on the planet. It is a mother’s natural instinct to love, nurture and provide for her children, but sometimes life has a way of complicating things.

Crissy Bailey, 43, a single mother, was driving back and forth to Odessa from her Andrews home every day for work, all to support her four children. Then, about two-and-a-half years ago, she was diagnosed with an assortment of illnesses including pulmonary fibrosis, hypertension of the lungs, a muscle disease called polymyositis and rheumatoid arthritis. She has had quite a few extended hospital visits, one of which included doctors putting her into an induced coma. Combine that with the medications she is now required to take and her inability to go back to work, and the bills really start to pile up.

That brings us to flag football.

Her oldest son, and second oldest child, Ray Dunn, a 22-year-old college student and former all-district linebacker/tight end for Andrews, who is attending the University of Arkansas-Monticello, decided it was his turn to do something to help pay his mother back for all her years of sacrifice on his behalf. His idea was to host a seven-on-seven flag football tournament in which all proceeds go to help pay mom’s medical bills.

The tournament is Saturday at the practice football field in Andrews, just south of the main high school football field, Dunn said.

“The entry fee will be $10 per person on the team. There isn’t a limit to how many people each team can have, but a minimum of seven. Also, each team needs to wear matching colors and bring their own football,” Dunn said.

Ray Dunn, with the help of friend Michael Grady and donations from a few local businesses including Andrews Tire Service and Andrews Pump and Supply, plan on the tournament running smoothly to ensure that people have a good time.

“The games are scheduled to run beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday,” Dunn said. “Each game will be two 20-minute halves with a small break for halftime, so each game should probably be close to an hour long, and we’ll provide the flags. The tournament is going to be double-elimination format.”

Double-elimination means each team that is entered will play until they lose twice or win the entire tournament. Playing that many games in the hot sun will definitely take its toll on the athletes who choose to participate.

Dunn said organizers plan on having a concession stand selling drinks and snacks, but people are more than welcome to bring their own drinks.

All the money from the entry fees will be going toward helping Bailey pay her medical bills, so people shouldn’t expect prize money for winning the tournament.

“The top two teams are going to receive T-shirts,” Dunn said. “But this tournament is pretty much just playing for pride. Me and Michael are thinking about making this an annual thing for people who are in need around here, so there probably won’t be any prize money — and won’t be too much if there is some. This is about bragging rights.”

Jesse Ortiz, a friend and former classmate of Dunn who lives in Andrews, is planning on playing in the tournament for a variety of reasons.

“Ray has been my boy since we were in elementary school, and I’ve known his mom for forever,” Ortiz said. “It’s great to know we can all get together and play football while doing something to help her out. I can’t wait.”

When asked how much money he was hoping to make from this tournament, Dunn said he didn’t know what to expect but he really hopes a lot of people will show up to play.

“I realize this tournament won’t be the answer to all of our problems,” Dunn said. “I just want to do something to give back to her.”

IF YOU GO

>> When: Starts at 10 a.m. Saturday.

>> Where: Practice football field in Andrews, just south of the main football field.

>> To register: Call 870-224-3157 (Ray Dunn) or 741-9668 (Michael Grady), or e-mail phaygood@oaoa.com by 9 p.m. Thursday.

>> Team registration/payment: 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the field Saturday.