| Page 2 of 5 < > |
Seeking Relief, McHale's Life Took a Fatal Turn
|
TOOLBOX
   Resize
COMMENT
 Discussion Policy
 CLOSE
Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.
Who's Blogging  |
After college, McHale signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent, switched to offense and spent nine years as a 6-foot-4, 282-pound guard and tackle for the Buccaneers (1987-92), the Philadelphia Eagles (1993-94) and the Miami Dolphins (1995).
On nights when he returned to the Washington area, he sometimes rented a limousine and treated friends to dinner, drinks and laughs.
His friends characterize their teenage years as comfortable, never wanting for anything. They said they drank alcohol -- which was legal for 18-year-olds at the time -- and smoked marijuana at high school parties as an adventurous escape. Some moved onto harder drugs, while others stopped by the time they were in college.
His friends said McHale never was a particularly heavy user.
"Most of the guys we grew up with in that era, alcohol and drugs were a large part of us having fun," said Brad Jung, who met McHale in the third grade. "I wish that was never a factor, but it was. Most of us had to walk away" from doing drugs.
As a boy, Tom McHale barbecued for siblings Jim, Mary, Nora and Margy. At age 14, he opened his first produce stand. Households within the Whetstone neighborhood were close, and McHale and his group of friends enjoyed relatively carefree lives.
When he entered high school, McHale became known for his inclusive personality. He made conversation with everyone, no matter the ethnic background or clique.
"He was everybody's guy," said Aaron Carter, who knew McHale since the second grade and now is the head of security at Gaithersburg High. "He was a type that was loved by all. He fit in with everyone. He was a leader. He was there for everyone. He was just Tom."
McHale spent his freshman and sophomore years at Georgetown Prep, where by all accounts he was well liked, too. Margy McHale, who served as the McHale family's spokeswoman for this story, said her brother transferred to Gaithersburg to be with the friends he had known since childhood.
He distinguished himself as a physical offensive and defensive lineman and as a skilled shot putter. McHale became known for his work ethic and selfless exuberance; once after practice, an assistant coach walked toward the school building carrying a first-aid kit. McHale ran toward him and said, "I got it, Coach!"
"The good ones practice and do everything you ask them to do," said Francis Parry, McHale's former assistant football coach, assistant track coach and physical education instructor at Gaithersburg High School. "The great ones are the first ones on the field. They do everything you ask them to do, and they're the last ones off the field.
"After busting tail at practice, he would help out coaches."
