I was surfing the web and came across the following this evening:
CHRISTOPHER J. GEDNEY
Obituary
Chris Gedney, devoted husband and father, NFL football player, Syracuse University All-American tight end, and color analyst of the Syracuse University football team, passed away on Friday, March 9, 2018.
Chris was born in Wilmington, DE to Tom and Dorothy (Smith) Gedney. He was a graduate of Liverpool High School and went on to play at Syracuse University where his football skills made him a "force to be reckoned with" and helped lead the Orange to four bowl games. In 1992 Chris set the record for receptions by a tight end in a season (34) and in a career (91). In 2002, Chris was named to Syracuse's All-Century football team.
After graduating from SU with a Bachelor's degree in speech communication, Chris was drafted by the Chicago Bears where he played four seasons, then played another three seasons for the Arizona Cardinals. In the seven seasons in the NFL, Chris appeared in 73 games, caught 83 passes for 914 yards and 8 touchdowns. Chris was the recipient of many awards some of which include: both the Ed Block and Gene Autry Courage Awards, inducted into the Greater Syracuse Hall of Fame, 2000 Finalist for the NFL Man of the Year Award and ACC Legend Award in 2015. Chris was the first professional athlete to return to a contact sport after having a full colectomy due to a long battle with Ulcerative Colitis. He spent a year on the injured reserve list with a goal of returning to the field for the Cardinals which he triumphantly did.
Chris returned to Syracuse with his family and obtained a position as the color analyst for the Syracuse Football Team, and served as Senior Associate Athletic Director for major gifts for Syracuse University. Chris was never happier in his career than when he was preparing for and broadcasting a game for Orange Nation. His humor, quick wit, extensive knowledge of the game and rapport with Matt Park made their broadcasts some of the most entertaining ones on the air.
Chris gave back to his community while serving on the National Down Syndrome Society Board of Directors, the Imagine Syracuse Executive Board of Directors and being actively involved in the New York State Special Olympics, and the Southwest Chapter of Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America. He wouldn't hesitate to provide his time, be it a gesture of a note, appearance or phone call, if it brightened someone's day.
Chris was known for his generous heart and bursting personality. He was the ultimate host. One always felt welcome and loved in his presence. Although Chris' career was impressive, his humility surpassed it all. Chris was one of the few that never knew how truly great he actually was.
Chris was married in July 2016, to the love of his life, Seely Anderson Gedney. Together they made their home in Syracuse with their blended family, Chris' 4 wonderful children, and Seely's numerous rescue dogs.
Above all, Chris would list his 4 children as his greatest accomplishment as they were the pride and joy of his life. Chris' oldest daughter, Annaleigh (22), followed in Chris' footsteps and is a senior at Syracuse University, she is community minded and will major in Women's Studies. Chris' son, Chase (19), inherited Chris' athletic abilities and was appointed to attend West Point, where he plays Lacrosse for Army, a decision that highlighted his strength and maturity, Chris couldn't have been more proud. His daughter, Montanna (17), also inherited Chris' athletic ability as well as his tender heart. Montanna is a junior in high school and is dominate on the volleyball court as an outside hitter. Chris' youngest daughter, Ellianna (12), inherited Chris' wit and charm and continues to brighten rooms with her personality.
Chris is survived by his wife, Seely Anderson Gedney; his 4 children, as well as his father, Tom & Donna (Yaney) Gedney, and his mother, Dorothy Gedney; his brother, Al Gedney (Mary) and sister, Lisa Wicks (John), along with two nieces, two nephews, many close and loving friends, and extended family. Chris will be greatly missed.
A Funeral Mass in celebration of Chris' life will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, March 15, 2018 at Most Holy Rosary Church. Private burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, DeWitt. Family and friends may call from 3:00 - 7:00 pm on Wednesday, March 14, 2018 at the THOMAS J. PIRRO JR. FUNERAL HOME, 3401 Vickery Rd. (corner of Buckley Rd.) North Syracuse, NY.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Syracuse Football Club, PO Box 15009, Syracuse, NY 13215, or call Barb Nesci with a credit card at 315-884-4444. This is a stand-alone account established by Syracuse Football Club. A 501C-3 tax exempt group of former Orange football players has created this for the benefit of the Gedney children. 100% of the donations, which are tax deductible, will reach the children.
After graduating from SU with a Bachelor's degree in speech communication, Chris was drafted by the Chicago Bears where he played four seasons, then played another three seasons for the Arizona Cardinals. In the seven seasons in the NFL, Chris appeared in 73 games, caught 83 passes for 914 yards and 8 touchdowns. Chris was the recipient of many awards some of which include: both the Ed Block and Gene Autry Courage Awards, inducted into the Greater Syracuse Hall of Fame, 2000 Finalist for the NFL Man of the Year Award and ACC Legend Award in 2015. Chris was the first professional athlete to return to a contact sport after having a full colectomy due to a long battle with Ulcerative Colitis. He spent a year on the injured reserve list with a goal of returning to the field for the Cardinals which he triumphantly did.
Chris returned to Syracuse with his family and obtained a position as the color analyst for the Syracuse Football Team, and served as Senior Associate Athletic Director for major gifts for Syracuse University. Chris was never happier in his career than when he was preparing for and broadcasting a game for Orange Nation. His humor, quick wit, extensive knowledge of the game and rapport with Matt Park made their broadcasts some of the most entertaining ones on the air.
Chris gave back to his community while serving on the National Down Syndrome Society Board of Directors, the Imagine Syracuse Executive Board of Directors and being actively involved in the New York State Special Olympics, and the Southwest Chapter of Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America. He wouldn't hesitate to provide his time, be it a gesture of a note, appearance or phone call, if it brightened someone's day.
Chris was known for his generous heart and bursting personality. He was the ultimate host. One always felt welcome and loved in his presence. Although Chris' career was impressive, his humility surpassed it all. Chris was one of the few that never knew how truly great he actually was.
Chris was married in July 2016, to the love of his life, Seely Anderson Gedney. Together they made their home in Syracuse with their blended family, Chris' 4 wonderful children, and Seely's numerous rescue dogs.
Above all, Chris would list his 4 children as his greatest accomplishment as they were the pride and joy of his life. Chris' oldest daughter, Annaleigh (22), followed in Chris' footsteps and is a senior at Syracuse University, she is community minded and will major in Women's Studies. Chris' son, Chase (19), inherited Chris' athletic abilities and was appointed to attend West Point, where he plays Lacrosse for Army, a decision that highlighted his strength and maturity, Chris couldn't have been more proud. His daughter, Montanna (17), also inherited Chris' athletic ability as well as his tender heart. Montanna is a junior in high school and is dominate on the volleyball court as an outside hitter. Chris' youngest daughter, Ellianna (12), inherited Chris' wit and charm and continues to brighten rooms with her personality.
Chris is survived by his wife, Seely Anderson Gedney; his 4 children, as well as his father, Tom & Donna (Yaney) Gedney, and his mother, Dorothy Gedney; his brother, Al Gedney (Mary) and sister, Lisa Wicks (John), along with two nieces, two nephews, many close and loving friends, and extended family. Chris will be greatly missed.
A Funeral Mass in celebration of Chris' life will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, March 15, 2018 at Most Holy Rosary Church. Private burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, DeWitt. Family and friends may call from 3:00 - 7:00 pm on Wednesday, March 14, 2018 at the THOMAS J. PIRRO JR. FUNERAL HOME, 3401 Vickery Rd. (corner of Buckley Rd.) North Syracuse, NY.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Syracuse Football Club, PO Box 15009, Syracuse, NY 13215, or call Barb Nesci with a credit card at 315-884-4444. This is a stand-alone account established by Syracuse Football Club. A 501C-3 tax exempt group of former Orange football players has created this for the benefit of the Gedney children. 100% of the donations, which are tax deductible, will reach the children.
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