Those that have know former Clemson quarterback Willy Korn have always known how special he was, but Thursday he surprised even some that have know him for many years. Earlier this week Ron Scarborough of The Evening Sports Page radio show called Willy to see if he could give six year old Lee Earl Jackson III a call to comfort him as he prepared to have a critical brain surgery.
“Ron game me a call a couple of days ago and told me about him. Ron always keeps me in the loop on stuff like this. Any time I can help I am glad to do it. Ron does a great job with these kids. He is the guy behind the scenes that connects guys like me with the kids,” said Korn.
Willy wasn’t satisfied with just giving Lee Earl a call, but instead insisted that he and Ron go visit in person. Thursday Will and Ron went to visit with Lee Earl and his family as he prepared for the surgery on Friday. The surgery has now been moved to Monday afternoon.
“It was the first time I met him but it felt like I have known him for a lot longer than one day. I spent a half hour with him. He is just such a neat kid. His dad showed me the video of him hitting a golf ball. He hits it better than me. He is only six. He is a really talented kid that comes from a sweet nice family,” said Korn.
After meeting with Lee Earl for about 30 minutes, Willy took something out from his pocket and handed it to a smiling Lee Earl. Willy gave Lee Earl the Atlantic Division Championship ring he had from the Tiger’s 2009 season.
“Lee Earl is going through something at only the age of six that none of us will probably every go through. It is tough when you sit there and see a kid going through something like that. I just wanted to encourage him. I am not one of those guys that wears the rings around. It has been sitting in my room since the day I got it. I love Clemson and I loved being part of that team. This kid is a big Tiger fan himself. If that helps make it .001 percent easier for him then I wanted to do it. I just wanted to do something nice for him and help him out if I could,” said Korn.
Ron Scarborough told TheClemsonInsider.com he couldn’t believe what he had just seen.
“I knew what a great guy Willy was, but even I could not believe what I saw,” said Scarborough.
Lee Earl’s parents were shocked by what had just taken place.
“The parent’s eyes and his eyes just doubled. That father said we just can’t take this, but Willy said this is something I want him to have,” said Scarbarough.
For several minutes the family tried to talk Willy into taking the ring back, but the former All-American at James F. Byrnes High School had made up his mind that he wasn’t leaving the hospital without Lee Earl having the ring. Willy left without his ring, but with a memory he will never forget. Lee Earl’s family got to see their son’s face light up and knew it was a day their son would never forget.