THE LEGACY OF JOHN MARK STALLINGS

THE LEGACY OF JOHN MARK STALLINGS

(June 11, 1962 - Aug. 2, 2008)

Johnny’s father, Gene Stallings, is a famous football coach. Johnny was his only son and was born with both Down Syndrome and serious heart problems. He was not expected to live to see his fourth birthday. At first, his father prayed that God would change Johnny and make him right. Instead, God chose to change his father to make him right. Gene wrote Johnny’s biography, Another Season: A Coach’s Story of RaIsing an Exceptional Child, which has been an inspiration to millions. Against all odds, Johnny lived to be 46 years old. As the end drew near, Johnny’s oxygen level plummeted from the normal 90's to only 63. His daddy said: “Johnny, how do you feel?”. Johnny replied “I fine”. He passed away the next morning. His father said: “My complaining days are over!”.

As word spread of Johnny’s death, 1,500 letters poured in from all over the country. Two governors sent police cars to lead the funeral procession, and hundreds of mourners showed up to pay their respects. Though Johnny could not read, or write, or even count to ten, his short life impacted millions. Here are a few of his achievements.

■ A biography honoring his life was written, which we have already mentioned.

■ An honorary High School Diploma from Dallas Christian High School.

■ A “Change the World” honor from Abilene Christian University;

■ An equipment room named in his honor at the University of Alabama.

■ A playground also named for him at the University of Alabama.

■ A football field named in his honor at Faulkner University.

■ A life size statue of him and his father at Faulkner University.

■ He was named a Paul Harris Fellow in Rotary International.

■ He was made an honorary Marine by the U.S. Marine Corps.

■ The Texas A & M Class of ‘57 endowed a Medical School Scholarship in his honor.

■ He proudly represented Texas in the International Special Olympics.

■ He was featured in the only United Way commercial for the NFL.

■ He received the Alabama Sports Festival Medal which was carried on the space shuttle.

■ He kicked off the “First Down for Downs” associated with the NFL Arizona Cardinals.

■ He appeared on the Today Show, Dateline, and an ABC Special.

■ He was featured in People’s Magazine, Reader’s Digest, and many Christian publications.

■ He assisted teaching Sunday School classes for four year olds in various congregations.

■ One university included him in a special list of only 5 people who have changed the world..

■ He was baptized into Christ in 1985 in Dallas, Texas.

■ His name has been written down in the Lamb’s Book of Live in heaven.

In an interview with Dr. James Dobson, Gene Stallings said that if he had it all to do over, he would never ask God to change Johnny. He said that Johnny was like an angel from heaven who taught him about love, and friendship, and what it means to really care. One woman reflected on his life and wrote: “Life is not about waiting until the storm passes by, it’s about learning to dance in the rain”. His father concurred and said: “Johnny taught the girls and Ruth Ann and me, to dance in the rain. Just do the best we have with what we’ve got.” The Psalmist said it like this: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Ps 139:13-14)

According to official statistics reported in the Icelandic Parliament in the period from 2008-2012, all babies diagnosed with Down Syndrome in Iceland were aborted. Let us be thankful that the mother of John Mark Stallings didn’t live in Iceland.