I’ve never met Diana Wisdom.
I sure feel like I know her, though, thanks to her social media presence, especially in the wake of her son Bryce’s passing from kidney cancer on Sunday, July 26th, 2020.
I’ve been broadcasting high school football for while now, most recently on TexasSportsProductions.com, which has afforded me many opportunities to broadcast Judson football. And if you followed Judson football on social media, you were bound to observe posts from Diana Wisdom, who never missed an opportunity to brag about Judson football in general and her sons in particular. She is outgoing, brash, fun, and entertaining. I don’t remember her ever putting down competitors; she stuck to praising her son Rashad and his Rocket teammates.
Diana was effusive about all her sons, bragging about the group of defensive backs she was raising. Although things changed when Bryce was diagnosed with cancer, Diana really didn’t change. She was living every mother’s nightmare, and anyone would have understood had she kept Bryce’s struggles private. She did not. She remained outgoing and open, sharing Bryce’s great moments and his difficult moments, maintaining an inspiring faith and optimism even has she expressed fears and concerns.
For all the terror that cancer holds, especially when it afflicts your child, Diana’s tweets were uplifting. Hope always triumphed over fear with Diana. Her updates didn’t drag you down; they pulled you in, letting you see Bryce’s unflagging will and her own hope and love.
Diana impressively managed to keep the focus on Bryce, despite her own prolific posting. She shared all her prayers and fears and obstacles, and still managed to keep the focus on Bryce. Observers had to be concerned when Diana tweeted “He is fighting but still in (a lot) of pain. Jesus help me today cause Bryce never complains so when he does I know it’s bad.” The posts and prayers were immediate and numerous… for Bryce. Because that’s the way Diana wanted it.
Once Bryce passed, we could all understand if Diana wanted to withdraw. It would be easy, and the numerous people who’ve rallied around the Wisdom family would be happy to help. If she wanted to hide under a rock indefinitely, there are a dozen people ready to take shifts guarding the rock and dozens more ready to deliver water and meals to her. But, we know Diana doesn’t roll that way. In the days since Bryce’s death, Diana has called for cancer research and chastised a purveyor of unauthorized Bryce Strong merchandise. When Misha Jade Faught-Clark, wife of Wagner boys basketball coach Rodney Clark, posted “As I get ready to bring (my) first baby boy into this world, I pray to be only half the mother @dianawisdom is,” Diana replied, “Do it but not the same as me, do it and do it better.”
Diana loves to talk and share… as long as the focus is on someone else.
https://twitter.com/MsMishaJade/status/1287834926180716544?s=20
Bobby Stautzenberger, co-owner of Texas Sports Productions, coached the Wisdom boys in their youth and is still close with the family. Shortly after Bryce passed, Bobby posted on Facebook, “I lost my hero tonight.” Bryce Wisdom is certainly an excellent, unimpeachable choice for a hero.
All the same, I’d say my hero is Diana Wisdom.
I’m sure we can agree… there are plenty of heroes in this story.
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