The death of Linfield student and football player, Parker Moore.

Where do you even being? In running this blog over the years, I’ve had the honor of covering a wonderful group of coaches, volunteers, and countless waves of downright great young men on their journey through the ‘Catdome.  As fans, we’ve all experienced highs and lows that athletics exposes you to but nothing can prepare you as a person to deal with such a tragedy.  Last night, Linfield student and Linebacker Parker Moore, age 20, was fatally stabbed at the 7-Eleven across the street from Linfield in an evil and random act of violence. Like every other person that woke up this morning, I couldn’t believe what I was reading. It doesn’t seem real that one of our own has been taken away from us so suddenly and at such a young age.

This type of things should never happen anywhere and is incredibly unfair for Parker’s family, friends, his former teammates at Woodinville High School (Wa.) and his current teammates at Linfield. This is a tragic event that will leave a lasting impact on all of those people that have been touched by Parker over the course of his life.

Parker Moore was a great young man. He is loved deeply by his close friends, hardworking, selfless, a man of action.  Parker Moore is everything you would want as a son, a friend, and a Linfield Wildcat. He is going to be deeply missed by all that loved Parker and will never be forgotten.

Parker’s death was a senseless act, and like so many people, I’m struggling with wrapping my mind around why and how this could happen. As a parent, as much as I’ve tried there is nothing I can do to understand the level of pain and grief the Moore family is currently experiencing.

For the players and staff of the Linfield College Football team, this is nothing you could prepare for. These young men and coaches are leveled at the news of Parker’s death.  Linfield College and the staff will do everything they can to make sure that Parker’s teammates and friends have outlets to grieve the loss of one of their own.

There will be information coming out shortly regarding how Linfield College and Linfield Football will be memorializing and celebrating Parker’s life. If you are in the McMinnville or surrounding areas and are looking for ways to help the Linfield community, I’ll do my best to provide you with details when I can.

Linfield is a strong family built on a solid foundation of trust and love. If you have a way to do something to help the people of Linfield, McMinnville, or Woodinville, do it. Parker was a person who put others in front of himself and we should honor him by exercising that same quality for those that are currently in need of love and support.