Nick Fairley to play Sunday with heavy heart after mother's death

Crusader · 10-23-2016, 08:15 AM

Saints defensive tackle Nick Fairley will play Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs, but he'll do so with a heavy heart. Fairley unexpectedly lost his mother, Paula Rodgers, this past week.

Fairley raced back to the Mobile, Alabama, area in the wee hours of Wednesday morning to be with his family as his mother passed away at the age of 51. She leaves behind four children and six grandchildren. The funeral is 11 a.m. on Tuesday at New Ship A.M.E. Church in Theodore, Alabama.

According to Fairley's agent, Brian Overstreet, he will play Sunday under the belief his mother -- with whom he was incredibly close -- would have wanted him to do so.

Rodgers had complained of chest pains a few weeks ago and briefly stayed in the hospital. But her death was a horrific shock to those who knew her. Fairley missed practices Wednesday and Thursday to be with his family, but returned to the team Friday.

A free-agent signing this past offseason, the Auburn product signed with the Saints, in part, because of the team's proximity to his mother. She would attend every home game. There, she saw her son morph into the team's top acquisition and establish himself among the best interior tackles with 3.5 sacks this season.

Now, he'll head back on the field after dealing with a deeply personal loss.

"He's going to play for her," Overstreet said.

Nick Fairley to play Sunday with heavy heart after mother's death - NFL.com

Rest in Peace Mrs. Rodgers.
And let the game be a relief in the terrible grief Nick must have right now.

dizzle88 · 10-23-2016, 08:23 AM

Play your heart out for her Mr Fairley!

ChrisXVI · 10-23-2016, 08:34 AM

Your mama would love to see you rag doll Alex Smith big guy!

spkb25 · 10-23-2016, 08:47 AM

terrible way to think but might get a great game out of him

Cruize · 10-23-2016, 09:26 AM

Sorry for your loss Mr. Fairley. Lost my Mom in August. I've tired to be eloquent about it. But, it just sucks.

jeanpierre · 10-23-2016, 09:52 AM

Never get over losing a parent - you learn to deal with it...

For his Mother's Peace, glad to see he's got his career going right, hopefully his entire life is following same...

Prayers for him and his family during their mourning...

Hope he continues to have a great season, working hard, honoring his Mom...

jnormand · 10-23-2016, 09:56 AM

That's terrible. God bless Nick.

SmashMouth · 10-23-2016, 09:57 AM

Stay strong. RIP Mama Fairly.

10-23-2016, 08:15 AM	#1
Crusader Resident Swede Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Märsta, Sweden Posts: 8,025	Nick Fairley to play Sunday with heavy heart after mother's death Saints defensive tackle Nick Fairley will play Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs, but he'll do so with a heavy heart. Fairley unexpectedly lost his mother, Paula Rodgers, this past week. Fairley raced back to the Mobile, Alabama, area in the wee hours of Wednesday morning to be with his family as his mother passed away at the age of 51. She leaves behind four children and six grandchildren. The funeral is 11 a.m. on Tuesday at New Ship A.M.E. Church in Theodore, Alabama. According to Fairley's agent, Brian Overstreet, he will play Sunday under the belief his mother -- with whom he was incredibly close -- would have wanted him to do so. Rodgers had complained of chest pains a few weeks ago and briefly stayed in the hospital. But her death was a horrific shock to those who knew her. Fairley missed practices Wednesday and Thursday to be with his family, but returned to the team Friday. A free-agent signing this past offseason, the Auburn product signed with the Saints, in part, because of the team's proximity to his mother. She would attend every home game. There, she saw her son morph into the team's top acquisition and establish himself among the best interior tackles with 3.5 sacks this season. Now, he'll head back on the field after dealing with a deeply personal loss. "He's going to play for her," Overstreet said. Nick Fairley to play Sunday with heavy heart after mother's death - NFL.com Rest in Peace Mrs. Rodgers. And let the game be a relief in the terrible grief Nick must have right now. WhoDat!656 likes this.
	W.T. Sherman is my favorite General. After all he did order Atlanta to be burned to the ground.

10-23-2016, 08:23 AM	#2
dizzle88 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 11,208	Re: Nick Fairley to play Sunday with heavy heart after mother's death Play your heart out for her Mr Fairley!

10-23-2016, 08:34 AM	#3
ChrisXVI 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 11,482	Re: Nick Fairley to play Sunday with heavy heart after mother's death Your mama would love to see you rag doll Alex Smith big guy!

10-23-2016, 08:47 AM	#4
spkb25 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 13,097	Re: Nick Fairley to play Sunday with heavy heart after mother's death terrible way to think but might get a great game out of him

10-23-2016, 09:26 AM	#5
Cruize 1000 Posts + Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 4,457	Re: Nick Fairley to play Sunday with heavy heart after mother's death Sorry for your loss Mr. Fairley. Lost my Mom in August. I've tired to be eloquent about it. But, it just sucks.
Cruize 1000 Posts + Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 4,457

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10-23-2016, 09:52 AM	#6
jeanpierre Site Donor 2018 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Thibodaux Posts: 43,543 Blog Entries: 39	Re: Nick Fairley to play Sunday with heavy heart after mother's death Never get over losing a parent - you learn to deal with it... For his Mother's Peace, glad to see he's got his career going right, hopefully his entire life is following same... Prayers for him and his family during their mourning... Hope he continues to have a great season, working hard, honoring his Mom...

10-23-2016, 09:56 AM	#7
jnormand 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: The Free State of Idaho Posts: 5,660	Re: Nick Fairley to play Sunday with heavy heart after mother's death That's terrible. God bless Nick.

10-23-2016, 09:57 AM	#8
SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 38,123 Blog Entries: 29	Re: Nick Fairley to play Sunday with heavy heart after mother's death Stay strong. RIP Mama Fairly.

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