Ross Dubberly
First down and forever
By John Wood
Sports analogies dominate news, society, and our everyday conversations.
To some, phrases such as “Hail Mary,” “last second play,” “fourth-quarter comeback,” and “leave it all on the field” leave them reliving the circumstances as if they could see throws or catches of that the last-second pass. For many of us who have spent our lives around sports, our experiences on the field define much of who we become in life. Jeff Davis senior running back/linebacker Ross Dubberly is an example of someone who loves Fridays nights. For him, those lights shine just a little brighter. Dubberly loves everything about the gridiron: the feel of the green grass between his fingers as he crouches in a three-point stance anticipating the snap of the football, the silent moment just before the snap of the ball when the quarterback thrusts the ball into his stomach and he secures the ball before executing the play.”I love playing linebacker, getting a chance to just knock someone’s head off, to be able to stick a running back in the hole,” Dubberly says.Winning and losing on Friday nights can be as vital as life and death, metaphorically speaking. Dubberly has faced something a lot worse than Division I linebackers wanting to rip him to shreds on Friday night.
“At five years old I was diagnosed with a rare, benign, inoperable tumor of the eye called lymphangioma. What my parents thought was a bruise under my eye soon was discovered to be much more. Although we were told this was benign, the severity of its potential damage quickly became apparent. This tumor actually consists of millions of tiny blood vessels. Almost the entire orbit of the eye was filled with tumor and the bad intertwined with the good like a vine, therefore could not be removed for risk of an unstoppable hemorrhage,” Dubberly says.Dubberly has had so many surgeries that he has last count. The surgery was a temporary fix that reduced swelling and stopped the bleeding. Infection and lengthy stays in the hospital accompanied each surgery.”In the seventh grade, I underwent an extensive surgery to remove bone from my cheek and nose to allow room for the tumor’s growth, in hopes to prevent loss of my eye. It was a success and I was later able to resume some normal activities,” Dubberly says.His freshman year, he was finally healthy enough to play football for Jeff Davis High School. The tumor grew, but a new procedure was used and the surgery – painful as it would be – was relatively successful.”Although I have had little bulging and no hemorrhaging since, I was left with double vision and limited movement of my left eye. It has been a long, hard road with a lot of pain and a lot of very low dark points. However, something just wouldn’t let me give up. I had made it this far and I wasn’t about to give up now. I had to keep fighting. I had no other choice. I couldn’t let this thing get the best of me after ten long years of battle,” Dubberly says.
Jeff Davis Yellowjackets head football coach Roger Metts is constantly amazed by Dubberly’s work ethic, tenacity, and perseverance. Something might hamstring Dubberly in the offseason, but it never stops him from getting ready for the next season.”Last year he ended up getting his nose broke and all of the cartilage caused drainage and he had to have surgery and missed spring football. He didn’t even get to play in the Eason opener because he rolled his ankle. At Jeff Davis, we have the Pride of the Yellow Jacket award we give at our banquet. It’s a coach’s award. It goes to a player that has talent but is a leader and also and a role model for younger players. Ross was perfect for that award. I would want my son to be like him. He probably isn’t 175 pounds soaking wet but he is our strongest kid, pound for pound. Every year he works so hard to put on 10-15 pounds of muscle,” Metts says.Ross squats 400 pounds, power cleans an impressive 275 pounds, and his best bench so far is 285 pounds.”I didn’t get to play the first game this season because of an ankle injury but I did what I had to do to get better so I could be back out there under the lights with my brothers. Everyone knows that you can lose it all in one play. That’s why you have to play every play like it was your last one, you have to leave everything on the field,” Dubberly says.Dubberly’s on-field persona of take-all-comers and always strive to be the best is evident in the halls of Jeff Davis High School.”Ross is an outstanding young man, both on and off the field. He demonstrates character and dedication in everything he does. He is a quiet leader at JDHS and an exceptional student,” says Dr. Cecilia McLoon, Jeff Davis High principal.
Jane Elder began teaching Dubberly when he was five years old in kindergarten. Because of the surgeries from his eye condition, Dubberly began school a month late, but he caught up and surpassed his classmates, never complaining about the problems with his eye. His high school physical science and chemistry teacher, Sharie Smith, says that Dubberly sets the highest of standards for himself in the classroom and on the field.”Ross is a portrait of excellence. He sets high standards for himself in both academics and sports, and he is willing to do what it takes to reach these standards. He refuses to allow the obstacles he has faced to become stumbling blocks or excuses,” Smith says.His standard of excellence, unwavering commitment, and morals beyond reproach will lead to Dubberly being accepted to Mercer University.
He ultimately plans to become a doctor.Philiipians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” is the Bible verse that defines the source of Dubberly’s enthusiasm for life and to keep fighting.”The number one thing that has gotten me through everything is my absolute total faith in God. I know he is with me with every trial I face. My parents have also been through this whole ordeal. They have loved me, prayed with me, for me, and supported me,” Dubberly says.Faith remains visible, especially on the gridiron, and some of the greatest testaments to faith, belief, and commitment are not found only in the Gospels but also in the Book of Lombardi.”Football is great metaphor for life. One of my favorite quotes is from Vince Lombardi. It’s ‘It’s not how many times you get knocked down in life, it’s how many times you get up.’ It’s not just on the football but also in the classroom and in life. Football is special. I love the game and everything about. Just to be able to take the field on Friday night is such a blessing,” Dubberly says.
