Gordon Scott Hamilton, 31, Was Athlete and Coach

By DELLA BROWN HARDMAN

Gordon Scott Hamilton was only 31 years old when he fell asleep at the wheel of his car and crashed into a tractor trailer on the New Jersey Turnpike on Jan. 23, 2005. He was returning from the game at which the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Atlanta Falcons at Lincoln Financial Field. Earlier that evening, according to Neil Best, writing from Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, after the game, Gordon had managed to sneak onto the field and jump on the broad shoulders of Jevon Kearse, "a 230-pound supporter getting the piggyback ride of a lifetime."

It was not until the following morning that Mr. Kearse, known as The Freak, learned that Mr. Hamilton was a godson of Trent Walters, the team's secondary coach, who is also the best friend of Gordon's father, Sam Hamilton. Trent called Gordon's dad after that event on the field, and shared the moment with him. He is in his first season with the Eagles, and had not only three Pro-Bowlers on the team, but also was then in the Super Bowl.

One can only imagine what shocking news it was to learn of Gordon's accident so soon after that glorious win.

Gordon was an enthusiastic sports personality. He played basketball at Kingswood-Oxford High School, and won numerous awards and honors in the sport at Holy Cross. Additionally, he played professional basketball in Belgium and in South Africa. He served as assistant basketball coach at SUNY, Binghamton, and Central Connecticut State University. Gordon served the city of Hartford's Department of Recreation and Youth Services, and at the time of his accident, had been head coach at Watkinson School for four years.

His survivors include his wife, Chastity, and their one-year-old son, Noah Todd; his parents, Sam and Sandy Hamilton; grandparents, Frank and Evelyn Gordon; his father and mother in law, Walter and Iris Cross; his godparents, Trent and Gail Walters, and countless other relatives and students. His parents are regular visitors to their condominium at the Seaview in Oak Bluffs.

Gordon told his team on Jan. 21, two days before his death: "Live your life day by day because you are not promised tomorrow." Interment was at Cedar Hill cemetery in Hartford.