Sports
Ramapo Coach Drew Gibbs Remembered At Weekend Funeral
Big names from across the football community gathered in Wyckoff on Saturday to honor the late football coach, an icon in New Jersey sports.
WYCKOFF, NJ — Even as high school football teams in New Jersey prepared for the biggest games of the year, the last week in the gridiron community was largely spent remembering a coaching legend.
That continued on Saturday, as a who's who of the New Jersey football community gathered at Cornerstone Christian Church in Wyckoff to pay homage to Ramapo High School Head Coach Drew Gibbs.
Gibbs, an icon in New Jersey high school football, died after emergency heart surgery last week. He was 59.
Find out what's happening in Wyckofffor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The Wyckoff Volunteer Fire Department Tower Ladder 241 displayed an American flag in honor of Gibbs during the funeral service, which was attended by hundreds of people, including former NFL quarterback Phil Simms and MSNBC host Willie Geist, who played for Gibbs at Ridgewood High School, NorthJersey.com reports.
Geist joined a chorus of voices throughout the week to honor Gibbs, which included New York Jets Head Coach Robert Saleh, who wore a Ramapo t-shirt during one of his press conferences last week.
Find out what's happening in Wyckofffor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"Our condolences to his family, the players, the school. He's been a staple in Jersey football for a very long time and it's just a sad moment in coaching. It puts a lot of things in perspective," Saleh said. https://t.co/lMqUs0t4sK
— Varsity Aces (@VarsityAces) November 19, 2021
(NorthJersey has collected quotes and images from the service, which can be read and viewed here.)
Ramapo was scheduled to take on Northern Highlands in the North 1, Group 4 final last Friday, but the game has been moved to this week.
Northern Highlands, Ramapo's opponent, announced the news on Twitter, with kickoff now scheduled for 6:15 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 26.
🏈Please know N1G4 State Sectional Final @NHFB_LIVE vs. @RamapoFootball has been rescheduled ⏰New Date and time is Friday Nov. 26 @nhrhs1, 6:15 kickoff 🎟️All tickets purchased thus far will be honored @NHSportsAssoc @RHSAthleticDir
— NH Athletics (@NHRHS_Athletics) November 17, 2021
Petition To Rename Field
As people gathered in Wyckoff on Saturday, the football team at Ramapo was also fighting for a permanent memorial to Gibbs.
"Coach made a impact on so many lives on and off the field, whether it be in school with his co workers or on the field with his players, coach always strived to make a change for the better," the petition reads.
"With this said the 2021 Ramapo Football Team proposes we change the name of Ramapo High Schools athletic field to Drew Gibbs Memorial field in his honor."
The petition has already garnered more than 6,200 signatures as of Monday, Nov. 22.
Superintendent Rui Dionisio did not immediately respond for a request to comment on the renaming of the field.
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