DUNCAN, S.C. (AP) — Norman Griffith wished with all his heart this would be like the dozens of times before he sat with family in the stands, awaiting Norman Jr. and his Pahokee High teammates to joyously take the field.

A sign by Pahokee’s sideline, “This One Is For Pooh #7” and the father’s flowing tears reminded him football games would never be the same for the Griffith family.

“I would put myself in the way of the shot if I was there that night,” Griffith Sr. said Friday. “I would tear the shot from my son to keep him alive. I’d rather be six foot deep, I’d rather be buried tomorrow if my son could be here.

“That’s how much I love my son,” Griffith said.

Norman Griffith Jr., a tight end and linebacker, was discovered in Belle Glade, Fla., with a gunshot wound to the head. He was sitting in a Dodge Durango that seemed to have been in a car accident, Palm Beach County sheriff’s deputies said.

Griffith’s parents held off on the funeral until Oct. 11, more than a week after Pahokee’s nationally televised game at Byrnes High.

The tragic week was too much for the Blue Devils, whose 32-game unbeaten streak ended with a 38-12 defeat to Byrnes.

Despite the road trip, remembrances of “Pooh” Griffith were everywhere at Nixon Field. A large blue No. 7 in honor of Pahokee’s captain was painted in a white circle. A funeral wreath stood nearby in front of a banner with Griffith’s name and the Blue Devil logo.

Pahokee coaches wore Griffith’s No. 7 on their sleeves.

“I was just walking around the field looking at everything they did for him,” mother Jackie said.

Ronnie Black, Byrnes announcer off and on the past 30 years, consoled the Griffiths on behalf of the South Carolina school, which took up what was call a “love offering” and presented to Griffith’s parents after the game.

“Our hearts go out to the parents and the community,” Black said. “We’re so close to our kids. I can’t imagine having to go through it.”

Linebacker Jarvis Byrd, led Pahokee players onto the field wearing cousin Norman’s No. 7. Several Blue Devils wore towel’s with Griffith’s number. There was a prayer and moment of silence before kickoff, Pahokee players pointing to the picture of Griffith on the large scoreboard screen.

“It’s going to be hard to go this season without Pooh,” Byrd said when it was over. “You saw tonight, we were missing tackles we could’ve made with Pooh there.”

The Griffiths were introduced to Byrnes’ coaches and players, then members of both schools offered prayers of hope and support.

Many Rebels players came up to hug Norman Jr.’s parents.

The Griffiths were surrounded by Pahokee supporters, all who wore a tribute ribbon or T-shirt with a picture of “Pooh.”

“I’m not going to say he was the perfect son, but he was the perfect son for me,” Jackie Griffith said with pride.

Norman Jr., 18, was a college prospect who drew interest from several Division I programs like Virginia Tech, Pittsburgh and Clemson, his parents said.

The Griffith family never considered asking Pahokee to postpone because they knew how much it meant to the Blue Devils. “Norman was always talking about it. He couldn’t wait to come,” Norman Sr. said.

Norman Jr. loved his teammates and his school. He took to football as a child, mom and dad involved in the typical parental gameday duties of concessions and ticket-taking.

The worries after Griffith’s fatal shooting were that it was gang-related, born from the high school rivalry of Glades Central and Pahokee in the western part of Palm Beach County.

However, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office said robbery was a motive and have arrested 16-year-old Willie Felton and 17-year-old Carl Lee Booth Jr. Police say Felton fired the fatal shot. Both were charged with first-degree murder.

It’s been a hectic time for the Griffiths. They’ve received condolences from Pahokee and Belle Glade players, coaches and families. Griffith’s three younger sisters, 14-year-old Jaylisha, 12-year-old Joan and 4-year-old Normaneshia had wanted to join their parents in South Carolina, but Jackie says they needed time away from the tragedy.

That’s something Griffith’s grieving parents won’t ever have.

“My son, I know he tried to do the best he could, in football, in life,” the father said, Norman Jr.’s letterman jacket at his feet. “I don’t know what the world is coming to.”

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