re: Ex-LSU Football player needs your help! Charlie Cryer

Coach Charlie Cryer, a high school football coach for 31 years, grew up in Shreveport, LA where he was a stand-out high school football player at Woodlawn High School. In March of 2019, Cryer was diagnosed with Non-Alcoholic Cirrhosis of the Liver and is now in need of a liver transplant. He was placed on the transplant list as of September 11th, 2019.

Charlie was heavily recruited but chose to go to LSU to play football for Coach Bo Rein, who was the newly named Head Football Coach at LSU. Coach Rein was in Shreveport to recruit some additional athletes, having already signed Cryer to LSU, and called Mrs. Cryer to see if she had a pot of coffee as he and the pilot were going to wait out the rain storm before flying back to North Carolina. Charlie is one of the last people to see Coach Rein alive before his plane crashed in the Atlantic Ocean. He went on to play for Coach Jerry Stovall, who took over after Coach Rein died. He met his wife of now 35 years in Baton Rouge, they married, and now have 3 grown children (Kacie – 33 – Head Women’s Basketball Coach – McNeese State University; Cody – 29 – Dr. Cody Cryer, D.C.; Chris Cryer – 27 – Defensive Coordinator, Pope John Paul II Catholic High School).

Cryer began his coaching career in Cumming, GA in 1989. He was hired as the first ever Head Football Coach for a new school there (South Forsyth High School) and coached there until 1997. The family then moved back to Louisiana where he has coached at a few high schools in Louisiana (Merryville, Oberlin, Acadiana Prep, Northwest, St. Mary’s, St. Louis). Most notably in 2003, Cryer coached Vermilion Catholic High School, in Abbeville, LA to the school’s first ever State Championship (2003 Class 1A State Champions). Cryer is now the Head Football Coach in Slidell, LA at Pope John Paul II High School. He is in his second year.

Cryer’s influence can be felt by every school, town, administration, teacher and player that he has come in contact with through his journey. Coach has impacted so many people throughout his career, from the towns he has lived in, to the schools he has transformed, to the administrators and teachers he has touched, to all of the students he has inspired (from elementary to high school age), but most importantly, to each player that has had the privilege to play for him. His ability to bring the best out of each of his players using tough love, having a caring heart and quoting Charlie Cryer-isms, is what makes him special and creates the lasting impact he makes within each young man.

Anyone who knows us knows that we take care of our own, and that includes our extended church and school family. But the reality is this is a lifelong financial commitment for the Cryer family, as Coach will need treatment and care for the rest of his life. We welcome your love, your prayers and your gifts with open arms.

Below is a link for those of you would like to give financially. Every cent will be used to improve coach’s well-being through this process. We truly appreciate any and all donations, but most importantly we appreciate you and your prayers.