Friends, family remember athlete Leonard

HOLLAND, Mich. -- Classmates, coaches and former opponents were among the mourners who filled a southwest Michigan church Tuesday to celebrate the short life of a teen athlete who friends and family say will have a long-lasting impact.

Many of the more than 1,500 people at Wes Leonard's funeral wore orange ribbons, and some released orange and black balloons outside the church, mirroring the colors of the Fennville High team that he made a game-winning shot for last week before collapsing on the basketball court.

The night before they paid tribute to Leonard at the church, his teammates honored the 16-year-old junior as they played through their grief to win their first game in the state tourney.

Those who knew the "larger than life" football and basketball star always recognized that he was special, even apart from sports, his uncle, Jim Leonard, said during the church service.

National attention in the wake of Leonard's death has touted his character to a far broader audience.

"It's just amazing that now the whole world knows how special he was," Jim Leonard said at Christ Memorial Church. "Wes will not be forgotten."

Leonard died of cardiac arrest from an enlarged heart last Thursday, moments after his shot gave the undefeated Blackhawks a victory to wrap up the regular season.

Opponents said they admired Leonard's game-winning feats in basketball and football -- he also was the Fennville football team's star quarterback -- but they also respected his grace, sportsmanship and leadership.