When James Leonard accepted the head football coaching position at Aquinas High School in 2013, the one thing he wanted to do besides coach a winning team, was to create a culture centered around family.
And that’s exactly what he and his wife Katie have done. The couple felt that sense of family with the overwhelming support given following a horrific car accident April 23.
“It was a rough couple of days, but we are so lucky with all of the help from family and friends,” said James and Katie Leonard in a statement.
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The accident occurred around 9:11 p.m. Saturday at the intersection of Troupe Street and Wrightsboro Road as James, Katie and their 2 year-old son Hudson Leonard were struck by a vehicle driven by Raymond Allen, 50, of Elberton, Ga.
Allen was fleeing Richmond County deputies when he crashed into the Leonards’ Toyota 4Runner traveling at speeds of more than 90 mph.
James Leonard suffered broken ribs and a partially collapsed lung while Katie Leonard suffered broken ribs and lacerations on her spleen and liver. Their 2-year-old son Hudson escaped with only a minor seatbelt burn from the car seat, James Leonard said.
Raymond Allen was pronounced dead at the scene at 9:55 p.m.
When the news spread that it was James Leonard and his family who were involved, the messages, phone calls and prayers started coming from everywhere, he said.
“We want to give a huge thank you for all the visits, texts, phone calls and prayers,” the couple said in a joint statement. “And the staff at AU was nothing short of amazing,”
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Members of the Aquinas community voiced their reactions and concerns when they heard about the family.
“When you see the outpouring of love and directed towards our amazing coach James Leonard and his sweet wife Katie and his sweet baby Hudson after their awful car wreck, you realize just how truly special the Aquinas family truly is. Just the sheer number of prayers, well wishes, texts, social media post and phone calls has been unbelievable,” said Sean Burke, a friend of the family and the school’s Director of Football Operations.
People from the Aquinas community echoed that sense of family that the Leonards hoped to foster.
“When James was hired back in 2013 and talked about the idea of the team being a family, I quickly realized that meant we were all family. I don’t think anyone thought that idea would grow into something so special,” said Aquinas football announcer and family friend, Jason Scherer. “I finally see the real power of family and a community. That’s what Aquinas is. Support and love for others.”
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Aquinas students also worried about their coach and his family. With Aquinas spring practice starting next week, some were even concerned his family might not be able to be present for it.
“Thank God that Coach Leonard and his family are still with us and that they are steadily recovering. Coach Leonard and his family are a huge blessing to our football program and to me,” said Kevin Douglas, an Aquinas student and football player. “They are a big blessing to our Aquinas community. When I visited him on Monday and we were talking about spring ball coming up, he said, “I’ll be there somehow” which shows how selfless he is and how he is dying to get on the practice field and see what he can do to help us players.”
James and Katie Leonard spent three nights at Augusta University Medical Center before being released Tuesday and reunited with their son.
“We were most excited about coming home to Hudson and our family all being together,” said Katie Leonard.
In addition to prayers, phone calls and texts, a meal train was set up for the Leonard family. Within a few hours, almost all he slots were filled.
