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If you have a prayer today, think about sending it to Jonesboro, Arkansas.
Arkansas State head football coach Blake Anderson announced that his wife Wendy passed away just a few minutes before midnight last night. Wendy had been battling cancer for about two years, which recently spread to her brain.
Anderson released a statement on his Twitter account last night to his fans and supporters.
FINAL WENDY UPDATE 8/20#NotFightingAlone ❤️❤️❤️ there’s a celebration in heaven today cause Wendy is Home pic.twitter.com/OYwh0fQLpU
— Blake Anderson (@CHbanderson) August 20, 2019
Earlier on Monday, Anderson announced that he was taking a leave of absence to spend time with his wife, Wendy, who has been battling cancer for the past two years.
stAte’s Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics Terry Mohajir released a statement earlier Monday on the leave of absence. You can read the full statement here:
The Arkansas State Athletics Department has issued the following statement from Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics Terry Mohajir, announcing that head football coach Blake Anderson is taking a leave of absence. pic.twitter.com/EgRXQyAF4B
— Arkansas State Athletics (@AStateRedWolves) August 19, 2019
Arkansas State has shown a great deal of support for the Andersons this year, even beyond the football field.
The men’s basketball team rallied public support around Wendy in January, wearing special “We Fight with Wendy” shirts for Coaches vs. Cancer Week.
Athletic departments, coaches, alumni and rival schools from across the country, including in-state neighbor Arkansas, have been starting to pour in support for the Anderson family.
And as you can see, Arkansas State athletics continues to stand with Wendy...
#NotFightingAlone pic.twitter.com/nsdHwpNOsU
— Arkansas State Football (@AStateFB) August 20, 2019
The statement from Mohajir names assistant head coach and defensive coordinator David Duggan interim coach.
There will be plenty to dive into for Red Wolves football 2019 down the road.
The staff here at Underdog Dynasty send our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the Anderson family.