by STEVE WILMOTH

TriCitiesSports.com

May 8, 2015

KINGSPORT -- Acts of philanthropy comes in two forms – money and time.

Current San Francisco 49er and Kingsport native Daniel Kilgore does both for the Tribe Games.

The event is the brainchild of Dobyns-Bennett staffer Jimmy Burleson, a former Indian football teammate of Kilgore’s. Burleson oversees a series of athletic competitions for special needs kids from bowling to swimming and last Friday’s latest event, track and field at the Tom Coughenour/Dan Crowe Track.

Kilgore’s heart for special needs kids grew from volunteering in adapted physical education classes in the Watauga County [North Carolina] School System while playing at Appalachian State.

“Jimmy reached out to me because he knew that I had a heart for these kids,” said Kilgore. “Jimmy knew my interests and asked me if I wanted to be a part of it.

“I told him I wanted to take over,” laughed Kilgore.

Kilgore counts himself fortunate after participating previously with the track and field and swimming portions of the Tribe games. His mother is involved in the bowling event.

Kilgore wasn’t a casual observer either. He was coach, motivator, fan and cheerleader for all 85 participating kids all wrapped up into one NFL-sized package.

“To have that many kids here and all the helpers, the students at the high school level helping, speaks volumes about the school system and this community” added Kilgore. “I think it’s awesome for these kids to get out here and do something where they are not sitting in the classroom and they are outside doing track and field.”

It’s not just the off-season where Kilgore supports his community. Kilgore and fiancé Megan Tolly regularly participate in community service projects in the San Francisco area during the regular season.

“Mondays are our days, our off days,” noted Kilgore. “We have all kinds of events, working with kids with disabilities or going to San Quentin and talking to felons. It doesn’t matter what it is.”

One particular Monday last season, however, Kilgore and Tolly had other plans. It was the 49ers’ bye week and Tolly had already flown home.

The two plan to be married this summer and planning the wedding was on the agenda. Along with visiting Tolly’s grandfather in the hospital.

Kilgore was to join following the 49ers’ Sunday night contest at Denver. The Sunday night ESPN game is arguably the league’s biggest stage each week. The game against the Broncos, however, was primed for NFL history.

Denver quarterback Peyton Manning was two touchdown passes away from tying Brett Favre’s career record of 508. Three TD tosses would give Manning the record.

The entire football world was watching, as was Tolly in her grandfather’s hospital room.

“Sunday night is always a big stage,” said Kilgore. “We knew going into it Peyton had an opportunity to break the record.”

Manning had the record before halftime and the 49ers trailed 21-3. Kilgore said the 49er offense made several offensive adjustments at halftime.

“We changed a few things and thought we could come out and get back and compete in the game,” continued Kilgore.

The 49ers were driving early in the third quarter but faced a third down. Near the end of a Frank Gore carry on a draw play, disaster struck. Denver linebacker Brandon Marshall inadvertently ran into the back of Kilgore’s left leg. It’s every offensive lineman’s worst nightmare.

Kilgore’s reaction was immediate. Crumpled to the Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium turf, Kilgore waved to the 49ers’ sideline for assistance.

“I just got tangled up from behind with a linebacker,” recalled Kilgore. “I knew right away what had happened. I ended up fracturing my leg, my fibula. It’s the biggest injury I’ve ever had in sports.”

Kilgore was carted off the field, to a rousing ovation by Bronco fans who had plenty to cheer about that night.

“One thing that was special was the way the fans at Mile High really stood up and gave me a great ovation,” added Kilgore. “It speaks volumes about their organization and fans. Kudos to the Broncos for winning and playing a great game and Peyton Manning doing what he does best.”

Following the 42-17 loss to the Broncos, Kilgore flew back to San Francisco with the team. Tolly flew back across the country the next day.

“Security picked her up, brought her to our townhouse and she drove me to the surgery on Tuesday,” smiled Kilgore.

Kilgore’s recovery has been steady, but slow. Still, rushing back in order to impress the new 49er coaching staff isn’t an option.

“Recovery is going well, I’ve still got some time,” said Kilgore. “I’m being smart and not rushing back into anything. The biggest thing for me is to feel comfortable at going full speed. I am heeling, there is progress in all the scans we are doing. We still have a lot of off-season left.”

While Kilgore can’t participate in workouts, he’s still actively learning the new system of head coach Jim Tomsula and his staff.

“It’s been good for me to sit back and watch what the new staff is doing and learn the new system,” Kilgore explained. “It’s had its advantages, but also disadvantages in not being out there.”

Surgery and the initial stages of his recovery also kept Kilgore out of turmoil surrounding now ex-San Francisco coach Jim Harbaugh. Instead, Kilgore overwhelmingly approves of the new hires.

“I love the new staff,” said Kilgore. “Coach Tomsula has done a wonderful job with how he controls and manages the teams from meetings and how practice is run is outstanding. He’s got coaches on his staff that are invested into getting the players better for wherever they may play, not just to win ball games.”

It’s the same type investing Kilgore did in Kingsport with the kids at the Tribe Games.







Crowe-Coughenour Track - Kingsport, TN

May 8, 2015

Photographer: Allen Greene Photography



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“Injuries and things happen for a reason in football and I’ve definitely been able to grow from it. But this is what it’s really all about, seeing all these kids smiling and happy.”



