Tribute: Ricky Sandoval, One of the Good Guys
NFL Countdown | by Mike O'Hara | 07.2.2009/11:42AM
Post a comment or e-mail Mike O’Hara at
The public seldom sees the good people of sports teams who work behind the scenes. They don’t make the fans roar or groan, and they seldom are recognized beyond their domain.
But their role with teams is invaluable and cannot be calculated by wins and losses.
They are the glue and mortar and tissue that keep the teams and the people who make the headlines operating. On winners and losers, they are part of the heartbeat of a franchise.
Ricky Sandoval, director of security for the Lions for the last eight years, was one of the people who left a vital and lasting imprint on the lives he touched.
Sandoval, 49, died Wednesday morning after a long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He is survived by his wife. Funeral arrangements are pending.
Ricky Sandoval was diagnosed in May of 2006 with a rare form of pancreatic cancer. He refused to give in to the deadly disease when told he had only a few months to live.
Typically, Sandoval never complained about bad luck, discomfort or pain. He continued to work until only recently, despite taking regular doses of chemotherapy to fight the disease.
Sandoval is a native of southern California and a graduate of Arizona State University.
A large man – 6-4 and close to 300 pounds – with an even larger heart, Sandoval had a background in security when he was hired by the Lions in June of 2001. He had worked in private industry and for the San Francisco 49ers before coming to Detroit.
His style blended in quickly with the cross section of people he came into contact with on a daily basis – players, coaches, staff members and media.
From a media perspective, there were certain rules that were set down and had to be followed. He enforced them firmly but was never overbearing.
And among the regulars, there was a give and take, laced with friendly insults, that added a light touch to the workplace.
One example was the sign-in sheet that was required for everyone – from a reporter covering the Lions for the first day to the veterans.
A long-running personal joke began a couple of years ago, when I signed in as Jack Bauer, the character from the “24” TV series. It apparently went unnoticed for a few days, thus diminishing what was meant as a light needle for the all-seeing head of security.
Sandoval didn’t mention it, leaving the impression it had gone unnoticed. But it hadn’t.
“Hey Jack,” Sandoval finally said a few days later. “Nice to see you could make it today.”
Soon after Sandoval was diagnosed, he and Gael formed Team Sandoval – a support group family, friends and contacts the two had made throughout the NFL and in Ricky’s days in private security.
Ricky was such an inspiration that in 2006, he was named the Lions’ recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award, given annually to a player on each of the 32 teams who displays courage in the face of adversity.
Lions players, coaches and staff members decided that Sandoval was the franchise’s most qualified person to receive the award. Sandoval was honored along with winners of the other 31 franchises at the national awards dinner in Baltimore.
As his health deteriorated, Ricky had gotten a diagnosis that indicated his long fight was nearing an end.
A friend related briefly an exchange Ricky had with those closest to him at the time.
“Don’t feel sorry for me,” Ricky had told them.
It was in keeping with the way he cares for others.
He is missed already.
Comments [3] |
I did have the pleasure of meeting Ricky, and I think the slice you share with everyone in your homage is indicative of how he truly was larger-than-life, physically and spiritually. He was a great man in so many ways.
Posted by Kevin on 07/08/09 at 11:41 AM ET
you make a nice tribute to him. really a nice post.
Posted by Symptoms on 09/30/09 at 05:26 AM ET
Add a Comment
That’s a fine tribute, Mr. O’Hara. Makes me wish I’d had the chance to meet him.
Posted by Dale Price on 07/08/09 at 10:08 AM ET