Ok, so I know what you’re thinking. Why has there been no Sounders news lately? I have just been busy; you might see a recurring theme in my next few posts. Family, supporters, personal responsibility. There was a death in the Sounders and Emerald City Supporters family recently. On February 29th One of the eternal blue forever green lost his battle with — as he called it “The Beast” — melanoma.

Yes this is a gay soccer blog, not my personal blog. So why would I bring this up? Because part of what we are doing is bringing a voice to those that can’t don’t or won’t speak up. To talk about a marginalized people. So what better place than to talk about loss of a great man who many will never know but was/is well loved by his (soccer) community?

Ok so I’m not going to say much after all. I had thought and prepared a list of points to make. I’m not gonna do that. The Sounders’ own Matt Gaschk wrote this beautiful story about him that sums it up pretty darn well!

What I will say. There is no greater bond than a supporter and his/her/zer team. Steve was until the end “Sounders till I die.” He was an amazing person and I belief he is still a strong spirit (if you will) amongst us. No matter how good or bad he felt he had this way of making it about you, not him.

One message that he would always share and we want to make known is get your moles checked! Once a year at your physical have your check your moles, even the ones between your toes and bottom of your feet. It is a silent killer.

The Emerald City Supporters and the Seattle Sounders have been world class. At a memorial for Steve Sounders media guy Matt Gaschk, player Roger Levesque, and his favorite player Jeff Parke all came out when it was already a long day for them with a charity fundraiser happening.

I talked to Jeff during the memorial. He is a sweet guy and was there genuinely. He was there to support Steve and there to support Steve’s family and friends. We talked about how in Seattle our bond (between fans and players) are so close. He hasn’t felt it anywhere as strongly.

The whole organization has been a class act. For his memorial they matched the money raised for the cure for melanoma, on top of so much much more. He proved what it means to be ‘Sounders till I die!’

Thank you for indulging me in this PSA / half assed tribute to a great man. Please think about getting involved and also give to his memorial fund.

Thank you!

Grant f.