Wheaton-Warrenville South’s Ron Grego is in the hearts and minds and prayers of high school sports fans everywhere, and his greatest accomplishment has nothing to do with football.
Make no mistake, Grego was a terrific football player who starred as a fullback and linebacker. He was so good that despite his season ending prematurely after six games with a dislocated hip, the 6-foot-3-inch, 225-pound senior still was named to the Tribune’s All-State team and earned a scholarship from Northwestern.
But perhaps the single greatest feat performed by any high school athlete this last school year happened when Grego opened his eyes after being in a deep coma for two weeks.
“It must have felt like there was a ton of weight on each eyelid,” said Wheaton South coach John Thorne.
Grego originally came down with mononucleosis during a spring vacation trip in Florida with family and friends. His condition developed into encephalitis, he suffered a seizure and was stricken with pneumonia. Rushed to the hospital, he was placed on a respirator and his condition was critical.
“We almost lost him right there in that Florida hospital,” said his father, Ron Sr.
When his condition improved, he was airlifted to Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield where he fell into the coma April 13. Gradually, Grego was able to blink his eyes and was transferred to the Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital in Wheaton where he has undergone aggressive therapy while in a semi-coma.
At one point, there were problems getting Ron to open his eyes. His father slipped in a highlight film of Wheaton’s 1993 season–Grego’s favorite–and his eyes opened wide. Grego communicates with his parents by blinking twice for “yes” and once for “no.” After 30 minutes of intense effort recently, Grego was able to move his arm.
Last week, the Chicago chapter of the National Football Foundation honored Grego by presenting his father with a special award and a check for $5,000 at its annual scholar-athlete luncheon Downtown. Upon hearing of the Grego family’s plight and tremendous medical expenses, Ron Miessler, a McDonald’s Corp. vice president, and football legend Johnny Lattner initiated a fund-raising effort along with Coca-Cola Bottling Co. of Chicago president Bill O’Rourke and the Chicago Blackhawks alumni association. And, while being honored at the foundation’s luncheon, Caremark International Inc. chairman C.A. “Lance” Piccolo was so moved by Grego’s situation that he made a contribution on the spot.
“I guarantee you Ronnie is going to be at this luncheon next year, walk up to the podium and make a speech to thank each and every one of you,” Ron Grego Sr. said.
Ron, get well soon.