This article is from 2002.
centralohio.com
Vance overcomes death of brother
Sibling was shot early Saturday
By Rob McCurdy
Gannett News Service
Dan Melograna
OSU receiver Chris Vance celebrates a third-quarter touchdown catch.
GAME KEY
A botched punt snap after Minnesota's first drive of the second half gave Ohio State the ball on the Gopher 9 yard line. Lydell Ross scored two plays later, putting the Buckeyes up 17-3. They never were challenged after that.
COLUMBUS -- When Chris Vance pointed skyward after a touchdown, it wasn't posturing for the TV cameras as part of a look-at-me celebration. It was heartfelt acknowledgment for his fallen brother.
Only hours earlier, the Ohio State senior receiver learned his brother, Percy Burton, died in a shooting in his hometown of Fort Myers, Fla.
"It was tough," Vance said after Ohio State's 34-3 win over Minnesota on Saturday. "On the sidelines I thought about my brother every moment, but I knew I had to do something, so I performed for my brother in the game."
Burton was one of two men killed in a 1:10 a.m. Saturday shooting at a disco night at the American Legion, as reported by the Fort Myers News-Press. Police believe the shootings followed a dispute between two groups of people inside the building.
Alvin D. Boston, 25, died at the scene inside, while Vance's 21-year-old brother died outside with a gunshot to the head. Latrice Taylor, 39, was struck by a stray bullet in the leg while outside the club and was taken to the hospital, reported the News-Press, a Gannett newspaper.
"This is a tough situation for him, but this is where he wanted to be and we'll handle it from there," OSU coach Jim Tressel said.
Vance found out early Saturday. Quarterback Craig Krenzel, who was rooming with Vance on the overnight hotel stay, was the first to hear the news.
"I think he was obviously in a difficult situation," Krenzel said. "It's up to us as teammates and friends to be there. He's been there for us.
"It catches you off guard and is a shock and I can't imagine how you would handle it by yourself. He wanted to play."
Vance made just one catch, but he made it count. With 1:15 left in the third quarter, he cut across the end zone and Krenzel hit him from 30 yards away to make it a 27-3 game.
"I came over and told him that was for his brother," OSU receiver/defensive back Chris Gamble said.
Tressel said it was special for Vance to make a big play.
"Chris Vance is close to his teammates," Tressel said. "He loves the game of football, and it was a release for him. There was a lot of pain for him, and he turned it up a notch."
Vance's father died of AIDS while in prison the week of the Minnesota game last year.
"To lose my father and brother in the same week is very disturbing," Vance said.
He played with "Percy" handwritten on his sleeve, honoring his brother and best friend.
"I talked to him on a day-to-day basis," Vance said. "He came to see me play in the spring game and Washington State game.
"It's funny because I talked to him yesterday
and then he passed away today."
Vance said he was expecting a call from his brother Saturday morning for a pregame chat like they always do.
They planned to see each other during Michigan week in 20 days.
Instead, after a call from Florida he never expected, Vance will see him for a final time at the funeral.
Originally published Sunday, November 3, 2002
