CLIMAX, Mich. — CLIMAX SCOTTS, Mich. — Kevin Langs began coaching football at Climax-Scotts schools in 1999. That year, Eddie Sturm’s family asked Langs if their 17-year-old son at the time could be manager. Langs said 'yes.'
Sturm has been by his side ever since.
“He’s become the face of our program,” Langs said during an interview with FOX 17. “I think a lot of times people come out to watch Eddie on the sideline versus Coach Langs or anybody else playing the game.”
During the season, Sturm brings the players water while they’re on the field. However, he’s also known to give them pep talks.
“Big money,” Sturm said with his hands in the air, rubbing his fingers together.
It’s his catch phrase. Langs said players listened to Sturm more than himself and because he has Down Syndrome he's taught everyone valuable life lessons.
“What Eddie does is he brings a reality to my life about what we’re doing here and the importance of athletics,” Langs said about Sturm. “We get too much caught up on that bottom line of winning and losing. Eddie is one of those guys that teaches us to live simply.”
And to live humbly, Langs said.
Sturm was inducted into the Climax-Scotts Hall of Fame earlier this year. Langs said it was a well-deserved honor. He hopes Sturm will continue to be by his side on the sidelines for years to come.
“Mom Sturm has said this before you know that when Coach Langs retires Eddie’s retiring,” Langs laughed. “I think it’s the opposite. When Eddie retires Coach Langs is going to retire ‘cause it’d be hard to be out there without him.”
