The family of Southern safeties coach Sean Wallace is raising money after Wallace was recently diagnosed with inoperable Stage IV pancreatic cancer.
According to the GoFundMe page, Wallace felt dehydrated during Southern's Sept. 16 win over Alabama A&M and sought medical attention at an urgent care (but only because the Jaguars had an open week following the game). Wallace wound up in the emergency room, where doctors discovered a mass on his pancreas.
Wallace underwent four surgeries over a 2-week period but did not miss the Jaguars' Sept. 30 game with Arkansas-Pine Bluff, nor their Oct. 7 game with Florida A&M.
On Oct. 9, Wallace was diagnosed with inoperable Stage IV pancreatic cancer, which has also spread to his liver.
"Our world was shattered," the GoFundMe reads, "and we knew that a challenging journey lay ahead."
From the page:
We kindly ask for your prayers and support as we navigate the challenging road ahead. However, we firmly believe that, as a community, we can rally together to support Sean in his battle against this relentless disease.
In times like these, we must remember that "God has the final say." Please join us in faith and positivity, touching and agreeing that Sean will overcome this adversity.
We are deeply grateful for your love, support, and prayers during this trying time. Numerous individuals have expressed their solidarity, and an abundance of affection has been pouring in during this period. We initiated this fund in response to numerous inquiries from those who wish to lend a hand. If you are able, any contribution you make to this GoFundMe campaign will go a long way in helping cover the mounting medical expenses, and it will be a source of encouragement for Sean as he fights this battle.
To know Sean is to know that if anyone can beat this disease, it is him. He is in good spirits and is constantly reminding everyone that he is a fighter and he will WIN! We believe this to be true as well.
At press time, the fundraising drive has raised $20,250 of a stated $250,000 goal.
A New Orleans native, Wallace was a leader on a 1993 Southern defense that ranked No. 1 in the country and won a SWAC title and a Black national championship. He was named a two-time All SWAC, SWAC Defensive Player of the Year, Bayou Classic MVP, two-time Sheridan Black College All American, Walter Camp All American, and Kodak All American. In 2011, he was elected to the Southern University Football Hall of Fame.
After a year in the NFL, Wallace forged a successful career in business and as a youth minister before entering coaching. He spent a decade at Baton Rouge's The Dunham School before returning to Southern.
Sean and Venio Wallace have been married for 28 years, and the couple has three children and two grandchildren.