Mom of late Michigan State punter has become LSU fan for new friend Colby Delahoussaye after tragic crash
By Andrew Olson
Published:
In July, LSU kicker Colby Delahoussaye was a passenger in a tragic car accident that took the lives of Nebraska punter Sam Foltz and former Michigan State punter Mike Sadler.
Sadler’s mom, Karen, wanted to meet Delahoussaye. She recently told The Lansing State Journal that she now texts Delahoussaye multiple times per week, and has even been to an LSU game.
“I don’t know how he made it out of that car, and neither does he. I just know I’ll always be close to him and his family,” Sadler told the paper. “A part of Mike lives on through Colby. That’s why I’m so drawn to him, I can just sense it. I feel it in every visit, every text, every phone call. He’ll just always be a really important part of my life.”
Sadler also has lengthy praise for how Delahoussaye has handled his recovery from the accident.
“They’re very similar people. And the Delahoussayes are salt of the earth people,” she said. “They’re kind, generous and loving. And Colby is one one of the most polite, charismatic people I ever met. He’s brave, he doesn’t complain. He’s going through these daily treatments for his burns that are extremely painful. He takes such a positive attitude and he’s thankful to be alive.”
Delahoussaye said that their conversations are a big help in helping him cope with the loss of his friends.
“I get that feeling from her. I truly believe part of Mike and Sam are living on through me,” said Delahoussaye. “Just because I was blessed not to pass on, I truly believe I have a purpose, that I need to keep them living on through my actions. Miss Karen doesn’t have to say that, because the way she treats me and the way she cares about me, I can see that through her actions.
“I have my parents, I have support in my life. But to be able to go to talk to Miss Karen, whenever I need, it’s different. Hopefully she says the same. I’ve told her I will always be there with anything she ever needs and I know I’ll have the same from her.”
For more on their bond and friendship, including photos of Delahoussaye’s custom “SAMIKE” cleats and Sadler in LSU gear, the full story can be read at The Lansing State Journal.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
