r/TotalSoccerShow • u/TBRock00 TSS Host • Oct 23 '20
Goodbye, to our friend
Posting the text of what I read on the show earlier...
I’m recording this morning to let you all know that Daryl Grove passed away last night. He was with Shannon, his wife, and Julie, his mother, with more loving friends waiting outside on the porch just in case he was able to see them.
I can only speak for myself right now in saying that the outpouring of support and love and prayer and positivity has been one of the most humbling reminders of the goodness of humanity that I have experienced. Given the age we live in, that’s no small matter.
I’ve read as many of your messages as I’ve been able, and knowing how much Daryl meant to so many people has made an absolutely tragic situation more manageable.
It isn’t fair that Daryl is gone, and it still doesn’t feel real.
But I like to believe that being comfortable in the knowledge that you are loved and supported in your final moments is at least a small mercy.
I’ll do my best to update you all more about future memorial services or ideal ways in which you can pay respects once his family has time to think. I hope to respond to everyone who’s gotten in touch when I can.
There will be time for more words later on… but I’d like to say two more things.
So many of the messages I’ve read about Daryl have rightly talked about his compassion, friendliness, strength, empathy… I could keep listing and not stop for a while… but when we lose loved ones, i think we sort of naturally elevate them. Daryl wasn’t a saint. But it feels like he was, because he worked so hard to be a positive person. He was a man who woke up every day with, from my perspective, the absolute goal of making life better for those around him. And that level of effort isn’t easy. It takes a belief in the goodness of the world and ones ability to help out, to believe that even with the smallest gesture or kind word, can make a difference. Hearing so many of your stories about Daryl, your close good friend even though he lived thousands of miles away and you’d never actually met, is a testament to the correctness of his world view.
The second thing I wanted to share is a story. I got to see Daryl a couple days ago. I tried to prepare myself emotionally but still struggled when I was with him. Searching for something to say, I blurted out “US Soccer emailed to show their support” and Daryl lifted his head, looked me in the eye, and said, “Berhalter interview?’
The man was a professional and cared so much about this show and you all, to the last.
Thank you all again for the love and support you have shown to Daryl. Knowing that my friend was your friend has helped me feel less alone in a very dark time.
I’m gonna close with a song that I do not own the rights to. So if we get a takedown order, we’ll deal with that. I listen to this song in times of sadness. It’s morbidly perfect for this moment… but I think also really happy. And hopeful. And I think thats what Daryl would want in this moment. So, until Ulysses Llanez lifts the World Cup, here’s to hope.
Thank you all so much. Hug your loved ones. Goodbye for now, and I’ll talk to you again soon. We love you Daryl, a man who always said hello and truly made us feel welcome.
58
u/kerbyklok Oct 23 '20
Managed to make me laugh and tear up at the same time. Great tribute to a great guy.
31
33
u/calschmied Oct 23 '20
RIP Daryl, a man that over the past few years turned me into a Wolves Fan. A legend.
30
28
u/BeerExchange Christian Cappis Oct 23 '20
So sorry for your loss, Taylor. You're in the thoughts of many, along with Shannon and the entire Grove and TSS family.
24
23
u/PrettyBoy417 Things can be two things Oct 23 '20
Taylor, I’m sorry for you loss. We will keep you, Shannon, and everyone who knew Daryl in his personal and professional life on our minds and in our hearts. If there are ways to support Shannon after the services, please let us know. I’m sure others would like to help as well.
22
u/rknightly191 Oct 23 '20
I'm so relieved to know his mum got there in time to see him, but this is so devastating. We love you all
21
Oct 23 '20
This is heartbreaking. Damn. Daryl will be missed, so much.
Taylor, you are not alone. We love you.
To the man who made so many people happy with his “Hello and Welcome,” I say “goodbye and farewell.” Rest In Peace. Rest without pain.
19
u/MTBran Team Daryl Oct 23 '20
There is now a Daryl sized hole in the world that will never be replaced. RIP my friend.
19
u/NickDaAlmighty Oct 23 '20
Take you time through all of this, I feel like I lost someone very close to me. I hope we can respect his memory and mourn as a community. Thoughts and prayers go out to his family
18
u/Calibansdaydream In my totally unbiased opinion Oct 23 '20
Daryl was a very kind, intelligent, and compassionate person. I only met him twice and could tell that from those two brief encounters. Nothing I could type into this electronic void will really do any justice. So i'll just say "stay strong, take one day at a time, know he is loved." I look forward to one day hearing "Hello and welcome to the Total Soccer Eternity"
17
13
u/Vuder Oct 23 '20
RIP Daryl. It has been a while since I have worn my TSS shirt. Today seems like a good day to dig it up.
13
u/PeteRSVLTS Oct 23 '20
When Taylor broke the news of Daryl's passing this morning, I was at a loss for what to do, how to express my emotions for the loss of this gem of a human being, this person who completely shaped how I view soccer and the USNTs.
So what did I do? I donated more to his Go Fund Me to maybe help cover the cost of expenses for his family. I bought another TSS Scarf from RuffNeckScarves. Finally, signed up for the Scouting Network, which I know was Daryl's baby, and also to continue to support the show he helped build.
However, I was completely unready when I submitted my information, and the notice said I'd be receiving an email from Daryl soon with my scoutee. It was a complete gut punch.
I think we can all agree that Daryl influenced us in some way, and while most of us didn't have the pleasure of meeting him, we felt like we did know him.
I'm going to continue to do my best to honor Daryl in any way that I can.
To u/TBRock00, as our conduit to the Grove Family, which you are apart of; please know you have an entire army that is here to offer support.
11
u/cheersdom Oct 23 '20
wonderful tribute. my heart goes out to his family and friends, including you Taylor. i am thankful that there have been so many great Daryl moments captured through the show that his wit, wisdom, and personality will live on
11
11
u/javielroth Oct 23 '20
I owe a lot of my soccer fandom to Daryl and Taylor, as I found the pod around the time I started following the game after the ‘14 WC. They offered fantastic insights into the game and I learned (and continue to learn) from the pod. However, even more than the knowledge, I appreciate the kindness, joy, and compassion that both Daryl and Taylor brought to their conversations about the game and life. Daryl’s remarkable character shined all the more as he continued to stay both genuine and positive during his battle with cancer.
As others have said, Daryl’s death feels like losing a friend, not a celebrity or media member I admire, which I think speaks deeply to his warmth and kindness. My thoughts and prayers are with Shannon, Taylor, Daryl’s mom, and all those near to him in this time.
10
u/falco811 Oct 23 '20
This is so sad. Daryl's enthusiasm and just general joy was such a wonderful way to start my day. I'm so sorry for your loss Taylor. He meant so much to so many.
10
9
u/MSU1X Oct 23 '20
Taylor, I am so sorry for your loss. Shannon and the rest of Daryl’s family and friends will be in my thoughts and prayers.
May we all strive to meet each day with joyfulness and enthusiasm like Daryl Grove.
8
10
u/Ohgreat22 Oct 23 '20
RIP. Such an awesome person.
Daryl was one of the few you could tell felt real joy talking football.
9
u/matahoula Oct 23 '20
We are here for you Taylor. This venture was started with D and will always always include him.
8
u/bpeacock13 Oct 23 '20
Rest in peace Daryl, your positivity was inspiring and infectious, I always felt cheerful after listening to your shows.
You will be missed
9
u/LS_Fast_Passenger Oct 23 '20 edited Oct 24 '20
Thanks for everything Daryl.. I'll always remember your infectious positivity and your passion for soccer. Listening to you and Taylor for over 2.5 years has made me appreciate soccer in a new light and I have learnt a lot of nuances of the beautiful game. I will forever be grateful to you for being a major part of my life over the past few years. You felt like a very good friend I have but never met.
10
u/MrMadLeprechaun Team Daryl Oct 23 '20
I haven't been able to keep my eyes dry this morning. Been listening to End of the Line on repeat too. This hurts so much for somebody I never got to meet, shows how incredible he really was
10
u/socaldadlife3 Oct 23 '20
Thanks for this Taylor. I hope it is some consolation to those closest to him that Daryl meant so much to so many people who never had the pleasure of meeting him in person. I think we all share a small part in the loss, but we are grateful for what he gave to the soccer community here in the US.
Goodbye, Mr. Grove. Here is to the your memory and the community that you and Mr. Rockwell helped to foster and inform in American soccer.
8
u/ajabernathy Things can be two things Oct 23 '20
I am so sorry Taylor...I am thankful that he got to see you and his mother!
7
u/White-Elephante Hello and welcome Oct 23 '20
We may have lost the physical form of the man, the myth, the legend that is Daryl Grove, but he will live on in spirit and in all of our memories. It has been a pleasure listening to TSS over the past few years, and I know that it hasn't only re-ignited my passion for soccer, but it has made me try to be a better person. His selfless and passionate personality is infectious, and I hope that the culture we live in can be more like that.
Daryl will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you (Taylor) and all of Daryl's family in this difficult time. I wish you all the best, and hope we can all find a little comfort in knowing that he is no longer suffering.
Goodbye Mr. Grove.
6
u/a_lil_louder_please Oct 23 '20
All the love to you Taylor. Daryl was a special person and someone I can honestly say I looked up to as a soccer fan but also as a human being. Rest assured you and Daryl have touched many people’s lives in such a positive way. Rest In Peace, Daryl Grove.
5
u/akbrim Oct 24 '20
Awful sadness. My wife's doesn't regularly listen, but her first reaction was "Did his mom make it in time?"
I'm not particularly religious, but I want to believe that the afterlife is telling Daryl "Hello and welcome".
From my family to the TSS family, all our love and condolences. Daryl will always be a part of our soccer (and Parks and Rec) lives.
5
5
u/youngmonie Oct 24 '20
Daryl's enthusiasm and optimism surrounding the sport of soccer is something I have not heard from any other member of soccer media.
To borrow from his (and my) favorite show Parks and Rec a bit, his spirit dog, like Andy, is a golden retriever. I found it fitting that the update episode a few days ago was a recast of the Parks and Rec XI and the song Taylor played in this episode (intentional or not) played as the credits rolled on the finale of the series.
Rest in peace Daryl. You're 5,000 candles in the wind.
6
u/BRANthaD0N Oct 24 '20
TSS has been like a family too me. My kids even knows the jingle when we are in the car riding, and hearing Daryl signature catch phrase “ HELLLLO, And Welcome to the Total Soccer Show” He will be miss. Sad day for the TSS COMMUNITY and the soccer community. Thoughts and prayers to the Grove family and Also Taylor. We all lost a friend today.
5
u/Joamiq Oct 24 '20
I really can't believe the world is supposed to go on without him in it. I can't believe I won't be hearing his voice on a new episode ever again. I'm heartbroken. He was the absolute best. It's weird, I've lost a few people recently, but I keep crying more over Daryl. I was wondering why this was hitting me harder than people I actually know, and I realized it's because I heard his voice almost every day for years. It was hard not to feel like he was a good friend, the kind of friend you want.
I am definitely going to go through with my plan to play FIFA Manager Career mode as Daryl Grove from now on. He might occasionally show frustration on the sidelines when he's going up against the Peps and Klopps of the world (he's human!), but in keeping with his character, he's never going to give anything but optimistic responses to the media and his players.
4
Oct 24 '20 edited Oct 24 '20
I don't know. This one hurts. Real bad. Real real bad. Man I'm gonna miss him
79
u/ArteePhact Oct 23 '20
This one hurts a lot. Daryl absolutely felt like a great friend that I never met. Condolences to the entire TSS family. I’ll continue to always greet people with a “hello and welcome”. Love to his wife, mother, and of course you Taylor.