TYLER, Texas — USA Prime East Texas owner and coach Chris Burroughs describes 19-year-old Rawly Sanchez as someone who could do anything he wanted to with ease and says he was taken too soon.
"One of those kids where he never lets you down. He’ll always, whether it's said or unsaid, he’ll get it done," Burroughs said.
According to Burroughs, Sanchez was a good kid from a good family and he rose up through the USA Prime East Texas ranks. Once Sanchez's playing career began to wind down he expressed an interest in coaching. Burroughs said that Sanchez, better known by his nickname Eli, was the perfect candidate.
"I think a coach’s role is very intricate, and very pivotal in a young man or young woman’s growth, so I take it very serious on who I select to be around these kids, and Eli was always an easy choice, he was always good to those boys," Burroughs said.
He grew up playing alongside his best friend Colt Eikner and both became USA Prime coaches together. Eikner was devastated when he heard what had happened to Sanchez, largely because he says he was never a troublemaker.
"He was never one to put himself in harm’s way. He was always doing his best to keep everyone else out of harm’s way along with himself. It was always everyone else’s hearts above his. He was making sure everyone else was taken care of and pleased, and happy, and really just did everything he could to make everyone else happy, and that made him happy," Eikner said.
Less than 24 hours since Burroughs and Eikner learned about Sanchez’s passing, their overwhelming feelings right now are sadness and shock over losing somebody who they described as a really special individual.
"It was really easy to be friends with him for just me and everyone. He was probably one of the best friends I ever had," Eikner said.
It’s been an unthinkable last 24 hours for everyone close to Sanchez, serving as a painful but powerful reminder to check in with your loved ones while you still can.
"Just tell your loved ones you love them now. Life’s too short to go on what ifs and oh I’ll get to you next time, or ya know let’s do that next week. Tell them you love them now, go make plans today, and live life to the fullest," Eikner said.