A while back, I mentioned that a friend of a friend was diagnosed with brain cancer and how terribly tragic it all was. For a while, he was doing much better and was home and going to benefit rock shows and such around town.

Then, on Friday, his cancer got the best of him.

I never met Cy Rawls, but I wish I had. I wish that I had known this 33 year-old man that was such a force that he drew in his own fan base from hundreds of miles away. Local and not-so-local bands wrote songs for him and huge clubs around here hosted shows to raise money for his medical bills. A website popped up to give his friends daily updates on his prognosis and progress. Writers at the News & Observer blogged about him. Hundreds and hundreds of comments were left on his blog and all over the Internet wishing him well and pouring out love for him and his family.

If you have some time, read about him on his blog. Look around and marvel at the fact that so many people came together for one reason, and one reason only: to help him fight his cancer and win. In the end, he didn’t win. But as has been said so many times, and for a hell of a good reason: it’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game.

For Cy Rawls, the game couldn’t have been played better. He was the biggest of Carolina fans, and I know that last night, when they played UConn and beat the tar out of them, it was Cy Rawls up there in heaven cheering them on.

My heart goes out to Cy’s family and my friends that are mourning today. Your lives are certainly better because he touched them, and I know you’re grateful.