Coach Gene Stallings and his wife Ruth live quietly on their ranch outside Paris, Texas, his birthplace.
Stallings is well-known as the national championship-winning head coach at the University of Alabama (1993), his coaching successes elsewhere and his success as a player at Texas A&M under brand-new head coach Paul 'Bear' Bryant in the 1950s. Stallings played as a "Junction Boy" when Bryant took the A&M players on a brutal pre-season retreat to Junction, Texas. The experience has been turned into a book and movie, "The Junction Boys."
What Stallings and his wife are not as famous for is what they are most proud of. They gave birth to and raised a son with Down Syndrome, John Mark Stallings. John Mark lived far beyond the normal life expectancy of a child in this condition to age 46. He lived at home with his parents, who mainstreamed him into public life as much as possible, which was a lot. You could see John Mark on the sidelines at Alabama football games. He conducted tours of the football facilities. The Stallings raised four other children.
Coach Stallings and John Mark were featured in a 1987 NFL public service announcement for United Way.
After retiring, the Stallings couple and John Mark moved home to the Paris, Texas area.
Gene Stallings turned 90 years old on Sunday.
He has worked to establish or fundraise for organizations that support families with children with Down Syndrome. His goals are better education and quality of life for the developmentally disabled.
His service includes President George W. Bush's Commission on Intellectual Disability; Disability Resources; and the Special Committee on Educational Access.
He authored the book, "Another Season: A Coach's Story of Raising an Exceptional Son."
John Mark Stallings died on August 2, 2008, at age 46. He lived happily with his family for all 46 years.
One difference-making thing Coach Stallings did wasn't an organized or fundraising activity, but it affected dozens of disabled kids and their families. He did it all by himself or sometimes with Mrs. Ruth.
When Stallings would find out that a family had birthed a disabled child, he would call them or go over to their home. He would briefly tell them the story of John Mark and himself. It was a life-changing encouragement to them.
Stallings was particularly effective when a father of a new disabled child was questioning what his continued role should be. Should he stick around or leave mother and child? These thoughts often run through the minds of new fathers facing a lifetime of raising a disabled child.
Can you imagine you were that new, somewhat disappointed and wavering father?
“Hello, Bill. This is Coach Gene Stallings. You and I have something in common. We both are the father of a disabled child. I’m not going to tell you that it is easy raising your disabled child. It is not. But it can be a blessing for your child, your wife, and for you.”
“When I first found out that John Mark had Down Syndrome, I thought some depressing thoughts. I thought about leaving. Or having him put in an institution. I thank God that I did not.”
“Bill, can we count on you to step up and be the best father that child could have?”
“Well, good. I thought we could count on you. I’m going to give you my phone number. If there is a time you need to talk or ask me a question about the role of a “special father,” please call.
Here are some comments about Coach Stallings' encouragement from "special families" that he reached out to:
“Coach Stallings called us a week after our daughter Kristina was born. He gave us so much encouragement on raising a child with Down Syndrome. We kept in touch for many years, he always had time for us. He is a great man that loves his family and really really loved his son Johnny. Thanks, Coach Stallings for the encouragement you gave us.” Bobby, Rose and Kristina Little.
“When our daughter was born with DS, Gene and RuthAnn kindly called us. So proud of them for making a difference in so many lives to God's glory. So wish I could have met Johnny. (P.s. his book is well worth a read.)” Debbi Lawson Gray
“Coach Stallings called us after we had our Ethan, that five minute changed the course of our life if coach Stallings could coach at such a high level then we could do it too!! We are so thankful for this sweet family !” Cheryl Perkins Etter
"My life wouldn't be nearly as rich if I hadn't raised a child with Down syndrome." - Gene Stallings
Jim' Zig' Zeigler writes about Alabama's people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at [email protected].
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