For Freedom’s Economou, football is the pathway between tragedy and triumph

TAMPA – On the surface, Jon Economou is just your typical teenage kid.

He’s popular around school where he maintains great grades, he maintains a strong relationship with God, and makes sure to stay in shape by lifting weights every day at the gym.

While he’s not working a part time job at Dick’s Sporting Goods to earn a little money, he shoots some hoops or relaxes by the lake with a line in the water.

He describes himself as a “normal athlete trying to find his way”.

However deep within the Freedom senior quarterback, is a drive and will, inspired by the loss of the man he called his “best friend”.

Every morning, Jon and his older brother, who attends Florida Atlantic University, were greeted with the smiling face of their father up early, making breakfast for his boys.

“He would cook every night every morning feeding us buying us our protein and stuff we needed if we wanted it he got it,” Jon recalls.

It was just weeks earlier, that James Economou had been diagnosed with incurable lung cancer and wasn’t given much time to live.

But never did he let it affect the family he loved the most.

“It got to a point where he was what me and him called it ‘Best buddies’,” said Jon. “I would jump in front of a shotgun, bullet, a train, a missile, you name it. He is the main reason I’m sitting here talking to you now.”

Jon began his high school football career at Wiregrass Ranch in Wesley Chapel. Excelling at the tight end position, he would always look up and see his number one fan there in the stands, filming and gathering every second of footage for his son to be sent off to various schools, in hopes that one day the Friday night lights would turn into Saturday afternoon sunshine.

“Until he could, I want to say my sophomore year, he filmed every game no matter what he filmed it or took pictures and made highlights,” said Jon. “He would have a passion for it.”

But soon, James’ condition began to worsen and doctors required that he use an oxygen tank to help stabilize his breathing. Still, nothing deterred him from being there for Jon.

“He would come out there with his oxygen cords, still fighting. I saw the strength the man had, and I knew I was a warrior and a go getter just because of him.”

After his sophomore season with the Bulls, Jon decided to move a little further down the road, and enrolled at Freedom where he could be closer to his father.

“(At Wiregrass Ranch) we had problems with coaches and players attitudes and grades and it started to fall apart,” said Jon. “Lack of drive and effort hurt us a lot we have multiple D-I recruits playing for themselves. We weren’t disciplined either, but great athletes. Coaches were awesome when they were there, but not exactly how I planned it when I left.”

The coaches at Freedom embraced Jon and his work ethic, which he soon established. He credits his father, who engrained a mental toughness that he still sees in himself today.

“He was a genius in my eyes,” said Jon. “He passed down good genes and knew how to have me and my bro focused at all times and looking forward. (He was the) most positive man I know and will ever know.”

As the days and weeks wore on, James’ health began to take a turn for the worse. Jon remembers the fight his father had in him and the one thing that stood out was that he never once muttered a complaint about what was happening to him.

He was losing his battle.

James was moved from the oxygen tubes and onto life support, unable to continue filming and getting his son recognized by various universities across the country, because of the cancer.

Then came Aug. 21, 2010.

Jon sat with his father, his hand gripped tightly around James’. They both knew this could be the final moments they spend together.

“I never once heard him in my life complain,” recalls Jon. “Even when he was on life support, in front of my eyes holding my hand, knowing he was going to die within the next 30 minutes. (That moment) made me tough and a warrior.”

James passed away that day.

From that moment on, Jon knew he had to take charge and turn what his father had wished of him for so many years, a reality.

He began working out more, praying more and staying committed to the one thing keeping him moving forward: football.

Colleges and universities began to take notice of him.

Programs like Troy and Bowling Green showed early interest, with future visits to Central Florida, South Florida and Samford on the horizon, noting the size and poise of the young quarterback.

“I’ve had all the D-I schools say they love my size and my ability,” said Jon. “But no trigger has been pulled. I thought Bowling Green and Troy were going too but I don’t know.”

Since that day a little over a year ago, even as his mother works two to three jobs to provide for the family, Jon has turned his loss into a gain. Keeping the values handed down by James.

 Even through the rough patches.

“My dad was big on football and wanted to see me play college football that’s all he wanted,” said Jon. “I’m high on a lot of recruiting boards and just waiting it out.

I’m patient which is good, my dad would always say.”

Follow Jeff Odom on Twitter, @JeffOLutzNews for North Hillsborough County prep sports news and more.