DON McDERMOTT MORE COLUMNS Advertisement

In all the years we have been writing a sports column (50 ... give or take two or three), rarely have we allowed personal beliefs to interfere with, or influence, the message. That's because something that affects the emotions can often lead to wayward thoughts.

Believe it, there have been many times we have wanted to rant and rave because misguided decisions adversely affected the well-being of young student-athletes; i.e., the NIAA's decision to move Pahrump Valley from Class 3-A to Class 4-A. We said then, and we will repeat, that decision made in 2007 would seriously affect the Trojans, as well as the rest of the Class 3-A programs in Nevada.

Now, however, is the time to take a time out and consider this: Smoking cigarets or any other tobacco product can be hazardous to not only your own physical health, but the emotional well-being of people you love.

Case in point. Slade Tripp, a 40-year-old North Carolinian who married my daughter, Jennifer, 10 years ago, died of a heart attack on June 1. It was on Sept. 11, 2008 that my daughter's 22-year-old son, Mikey, was killed in Afghanistan.

Slade Tripp, who smoked up to four packs of cigarets a day, apparently became ill on May 31 while working on a home improvement project. On June 1, his discomfort continued and emergecy medical teams were called. But they were too late ... and for the second time in eight months, my daughter is going through a tragic grieving period.

On Thursday night, after a funeral home viewing, Jennifer was asked what she was going to do now. With no thoughts about any thing other than immediacy, she responded, "Dad, I'm going home, eat, take my medicine ... and hopefully, sleep."

But that is the way it has been for Jennifer since Sept. 11, when the Army notified her Mikey had died in an ambush in Afghanistan. Slade's death was an ambush as well; it wasn't mean, or hateful ... it was a way of life. Light up a cigarette, enjoy the nicotine fix, and relax ... until the need for another cigarette racked the psyche, as it had for more than 20 years.

So, this message is simple, boys and girls, men and women, dads and moms. When you light up a cigarette, consider the cost to your own physical health ... and the mental health of loved ones. There can be a high, sad price to pay, not just for yourself.

At the funeral, it was amazing ... frustrating ... and disappointing ... to see so many people rush to their cars and before a minute had passed, had lighted up a cigarette. White smoke haze wafted through the cars, inevitably obscuring smoker and passengers alike.

We know that some lessons can be taught, but not every one retains the message, or even cares to understand it. Smoking kills.