Packer: Fuad Reveiz thankful, despite adversity

They say that what doesn't kill you can only make you stronger. For former University of Tennessee kicker Fuad Reveiz, he and his family have had more adversity over the past two years than he ever hoped to have to deal with.

"It's been a very trying time for us over the past 22 months," Reveiz said. "I do, however, know that God has been with me and my family every step of the way and has brought us through some very difficult times."

It all started in December of 2007. That's when his middle child, son Shane, had an echocardiogram at UT.

"A very generous supporter of UT athletics, Atlanta businessman Mickey King, donated echocardiograms for all UT athletes," said Fuad Reveiz. "Over 700 athletes were tested, only three came back with heart issues. One of those was Shane. He had open-heart surgery on January 9, 2008. Thank God the tumor inside his heart wasn't cancerous. The doctors told us that if Shane had gone three to four more months without knowing the tumor was there that he probably wouldn't be with us today. So, looking back, the generosity of Mickey King saved my son's life."

While the family was living with the answered prayer of Shane's situation, another adversity was on the way.

"April 17 of 2008 … I will never forget that phone call," said Fuad Reveiz. "It was the phone call that no parent ever wants to get. We got the dreaded call at about 8:30 a.m. that our daughter Bryanna had been in a terrible accident. She got distracted, reaching for the radio, on the way to school at Farragut High School when she ran off the road on Virtue Road. A passerby got out of her our phone number and he called us. We got to the accident before any police or ambulance. It was an horrific scene. There was blood everywhere, all over her face and chest. When we got to the scene we prayed over that little girl like there was no tomorrow. And, at that point we didn't know if she would have a tomorrow because she was in that bad of shape.

"Let me go on record right now to say that Bryanna is the toughest member of our family. She has been through 12 surgeries over the past year. To see her fight has been amazing. I've told the boys that she's tougher than they are, and they don't disagree. I think what I'll most remember about her situation was that it was prom week. Bryanna was in a coma the night of prom. But, her friends made time to come up to the hospital in their prom dresses to check on her. There have been so many blessings, but that one ranks right up at the top. To see the love from those around you is the greatest blessing."

While Fuad was fighting through those tough times, he also was fighting a terrible economy and a failing business. Reveiz and Company, Reveiz Homes LLC and Hardin Valley Development filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection on Jan. 15, 2009.

"I have no problem talking about our situation," said Fuad Reveiz. "The economy has hit so many of us hard in the country, and I'm no different. I've had to start from zero, but the great thing about this country is that we have the opportunity to bounce back. I am a very positive person. I could not have gone through this alone. My faith and family pulled me through this and so many friends have stood behind us.

"It's interesting when your customers can't borrow to buy your product . . . guess what? You're done. This is not a pity party. I'm thrilled with my life. And, all of these things helped Nick handle the situation he's dealing with right now."

Two weeks ago, in the win over Ohio, son Nick tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee.

"I think all that Nick has dealt with, in regards to Shane, Bryanna and me, has helped him to learn that his situation could be so much worse. I have told my kids since they were little, the only choice we have is how we react to situations in our lives. We can be positive or negative. I am so proud of Nick and the way he's handled things. Look, let's take this in the right context. He hurt his knee. He'll be back. We are all still alive.

"Bill Bates called Nick last week to tell him that he went through the exact same injury when he was with the Cowboys. He fought back and made it back on to the field to win a Super Bowl. When Lane Kiffin said that Nick was one of the top three most difficult players to replace on the team, it meant a lot to us. When Kiffin said that, it took me back to Nick's 13th birthday. I had told him that he couldn't lift weights until he was 13. Well, that morning he woke up and went straight to the gym. And, he hasn't missed a day of workouts since. It took me back to all the mornings he was up at 6 a.m. in the weight room or running sprints to be the best he could be. That's what's hard to replace. There are a lot of great athletes who don't have the heart that Nick has. Too many people sit around and talk about potential. Potential is a bad word in sports because it means you haven't done anything yet but you have the ability to. Nobody ever talked about Nick's potential, all they've talked about are his results."

I hope the Reveiz family has been through all the adversity God has for us. But, I'm sure there's more to come.

"We've been through a lot, but thank God we've all survived life's challenges," Fuad Reveiz said. "Shane is working hard to be a contributor on the football field. Bryanna is in school at UT and doing great. Nick will be back on the football field next year and better than ever. I have a great job now with Insurance Incorporated. And, my wife is taking care of all of us. God has been good to us and I'm so thankful for the journey he has us on. It's been a wild ride."

Mark Packer hosts The Locker Room on Sunday at 10 p.m. on MyVLT2.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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