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#KippStrong47
- Jennifer Dunaway
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
How One Young Player United a Community
On Monday, March 10, the Ohio soccer community received devastating news—Kipp McGlone, a 2015 who has been with Ohio Premier Soccer Club since he was a U7, had been struck by a car while crossing the street. The accident left Kipp with a traumatic brain injury, and he has been receiving care at Nationwide Children’s Hospital ever since.
Like many of you, our family has followed Kipp’s story through the CaringBridge page maintained by his father. His updates have been raw, detailed, and deeply moving. This post isn’t meant to retell Kipp’s medical journey—that is his family’s story to share—but instead to reflect on how Kipp’s fight has brought together an entire soccer community. If you would like to learn more about ways to support the McGlone Family you can visit their CaringBridge page.
As an OP parent, I heard about the accident almost immediately. What followed was an overwhelming and immediate response of love, prayer, and support from OP families. Within days, there were group messages filled with updates, offers to help, and shared heartbreak. One OP family quietly purchased black #KippStrong47 bracelets and distributed them across the club. My own son, a high school senior who's long taken responsibility for his own soccer gear and commitments, didn't even mention receiving one—but as we were reviewing his senior pictures, I saw the bracelet on his wrist in every photo. He never took it off. That image struck me.
And it’s not just OP.
Clubs across Ohio—and even beyond—have lifted Kipp and his family up. Other teams and clubs have purchased the #KippStrong47 bracelets. Coaches have taken time before games to talk to their teams about compassion and community. Kipp’s favorite player, Phil Foden from Manchester City even sent him a personal video message. The Crew's supporters groups also came together and through the incredible support of the Nordecke, led a “Stay Strong, Kipp” chant during the 47th minute of a recent home match, in honor of his jersey number, 47.
And then today, on Holy Saturday, something truly beautiful happened.
Across the state of Ohio, soccer games paused for a 47-second moment of silence. Players took a knee—just like they do when an opponent or teammate goes down—and held space for Kipp.
This powerful display was coordinated by our local assignor, who assigns an enormous percentage of games across Central Ohio. Our family didn’t have any games this weekend (a rare Easter weekend gift), but I watched as post after post flooded our Columbus Soccer Moms and Dads Facebook group. Teams in so many different leagues, took a moment —for a boy most of them have never met.
It’s hard to put into words what that kind of unity looks like, but it’s something I’ll never forget. Thank you to every family, club, player, and official who took a moment for Kipp today. And thank you to the McGlone family—for your vulnerability, your openness, and for sharing Kipp with all of us. You didn’t have to, and yet you've let us walk beside you (I know you are a Catholic family and the parallels of the Passion I'm sure are not lost on you).
As parents, we often get wrapped up in the details—training schedules, homework, dinner, laundry, wins, losses. It’s so easy to forget that these young athletes of ours are still just kids. Fragile. Precious. Growing. Kipp’s story has reminded many of us to slow down, to hug tighter, and to be more present.
And finally, while I don’t know the details of the accident, I do want to gently urge everyone reading this to be more aware. We are constantly in busy parking lots and rushing down neighborhood streets. Let this be a reminder to take an extra look, slow down, and remind your young drivers to do the same—especially as the weather gets warmer and more kids are outside.
Please continue to keep Kipp and the McGlone family in your hearts. Share their story. Wear your bracelet. Drive more carefully. Love more intentionally.
