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Editorial: Pedersen statue should inspire
Op-Ed · September 04, 2024
After 40 years of West Branch High School Head Football Coach James “Butch” Pedersen rushing down the field with the varsity Bears, the northwest corner of the Little Rose Bowl has not been the same since he passed away in April 2023.
Friday’s unveiling of the bronze statue provided by the Butch Pedersen Legacy Foundation brings a symbol of the memories of the players, coaches, fans, and families who were there when Butch coached.
There are no statues of perfect people except Jesus Christ. However, for those imperfect people who do get a likeness erected in their memory, we do so because they did something uncommon and extraordinary, something worthy of admiration and inspiration. We can’t all be great football coaches, but we can all strive to do our best in all circumstances.
The Foundation that bears Pedersen’s name calls on us to consider striving to achieve strength, love and family. That’s not a bad starting place for any of us. There are no laws against any of those things and no good reasons to keep us from wanting those things.
While we consider what that means for each of us, let us, for now, simply say: Welcome back, coach.
We’re not perfect, either. But we can at least aim for something close to that.
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