'The Lion's Roar'- The Life &Legacy of Deeno Woods
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The University of Alabama Women’s Rugby team lost a teammate on March 16, 2019. Darian “Deeno” Woods was 26 years old, and unexpectedly passed away in Cincinnati, OH. To say we are all devastated is an understatement. We lost a friend, sister, and teammate; she was the spirit of Bama Rugby. Deeno’s dad passed around this time last year, and we are eager to serve her family and honor her life any way we can. A team is the most sacred machine, with so many cogs working together to put aside the “I” for the “we.” A piece of our puzzle has been stolen, and even though we will find a way to move forward for our friend, our team will never again be whole.
To people outside the world of sports, the word “teammates” refers to those who simply wear the same color jersey. The term frequently flies around in casual conversations without a thought, but it rings loudly in the athlete’s ear. In sports, and rugby in particular, that word teammate is holy. There are no synonyms. The women’s rugby community is unique in how it celebrates players. Strength and size are praised. Anger is perceived as passion. You are celebrated for who you are, whoever that may be. We are a powerful, fierce, supportive island of misfits. We fight for and with each other as one unit, sacrifice individual agendas for the common good, and do things we never thought possible for one another. The very best of society is epitomized through the heart of rugby. Taking that big tackle, chasing down that opponent who got a breakaway, recovering quickly from that error, making that strong run in those last minutes of the game (Deeno’s specialty)… it’s for the people who are counting on you. Those you call teammates. It is a lifelong bond, immune to the hands of time and space.
Deeno was not an everyday teammate, but the lion’s roar of our team. She matter-of-factly believed she could do anything she set her mind to, and she believed in all of us with that same intensity. Deeno was a force -- mentally, physically, as a teammate, as a friend, and in every other kind of way. A true powerhouse, and a rare phenomenon. She was strong beyond the boundaries of anatomy and physiology. You could feel her presence if she were near. Deeno made you feel like you could blast through a wall, and more than that, it’s what she expected of you. I always looked for her in games when I was running low on steam, and just the sight of her made my adrenaline kick in. She never once did anything halfway. If you gave her the ball, it was going to take at least three people to tackle her. If you ran near her when she was on defense… well, that was poor decision-making on your part.
The thing about Deeno was that she wasn’t just like that on the pitch, but every single day. She broke boundaries, blasted through doors, and gave other people the fire to do the same. She was such a fun human being, with her mismatched socks, booming laugh, singing, and witty sense of humor. Deeno was unblinking in her honesty and could both humble and uplift you in one swift conversation. She was the person you wanted in your corner. She lived her life unapologetically and danced through every moment with fire in her eyes and passion in her heart. To honor Deeno’s life, may we all bust through doors. May we all wear mismatched socks and dance through our own stories. May we unapologetically take up space. May we say, “I’m speaking” instead of “I’m sorry.” Most of all, may we roar like lions in all we do and remember the life and legacy of Deeno Woods.
To people outside the world of sports, the word “teammates” refers to those who simply wear the same color jersey. The term frequently flies around in casual conversations without a thought, but it rings loudly in the athlete’s ear. In sports, and rugby in particular, that word teammate is holy. There are no synonyms. The women’s rugby community is unique in how it celebrates players. Strength and size are praised. Anger is perceived as passion. You are celebrated for who you are, whoever that may be. We are a powerful, fierce, supportive island of misfits. We fight for and with each other as one unit, sacrifice individual agendas for the common good, and do things we never thought possible for one another. The very best of society is epitomized through the heart of rugby. Taking that big tackle, chasing down that opponent who got a breakaway, recovering quickly from that error, making that strong run in those last minutes of the game (Deeno’s specialty)… it’s for the people who are counting on you. Those you call teammates. It is a lifelong bond, immune to the hands of time and space.
Deeno was not an everyday teammate, but the lion’s roar of our team. She matter-of-factly believed she could do anything she set her mind to, and she believed in all of us with that same intensity. Deeno was a force -- mentally, physically, as a teammate, as a friend, and in every other kind of way. A true powerhouse, and a rare phenomenon. She was strong beyond the boundaries of anatomy and physiology. You could feel her presence if she were near. Deeno made you feel like you could blast through a wall, and more than that, it’s what she expected of you. I always looked for her in games when I was running low on steam, and just the sight of her made my adrenaline kick in. She never once did anything halfway. If you gave her the ball, it was going to take at least three people to tackle her. If you ran near her when she was on defense… well, that was poor decision-making on your part.
The thing about Deeno was that she wasn’t just like that on the pitch, but every single day. She broke boundaries, blasted through doors, and gave other people the fire to do the same. She was such a fun human being, with her mismatched socks, booming laugh, singing, and witty sense of humor. Deeno was unblinking in her honesty and could both humble and uplift you in one swift conversation. She was the person you wanted in your corner. She lived her life unapologetically and danced through every moment with fire in her eyes and passion in her heart. To honor Deeno’s life, may we all bust through doors. May we all wear mismatched socks and dance through our own stories. May we unapologetically take up space. May we say, “I’m speaking” instead of “I’m sorry.” Most of all, may we roar like lions in all we do and remember the life and legacy of Deeno Woods.
Organizer
Krisie Stakely
Organizer
Birmingham, AL
