Siran Stacy, former UA football player will be the guest speaker at an event to raise money for Palmer Place on April 2. Pictured with Stacy is his daughter, Shelly.
According to his official biography, “Siran played at the University of Alabama from 1989-91 after spending two seasons at Coffeyville (Kansas) Community College. He was a two-year starter and two-time All-SEC performer in 1989 and 1991. During his Alabama career, he had 429 rushing attempts for 2,113 yards and 27 touchdowns. He also had 62 pass receptions for 574 yards, one touchdown and 2,787 all-purpose yards. In 1989, Stacy played in 11 games and ran 216 times for 1,079 yards (5.0 average) and 17 touchdowns. He averaged 98.1 yards per game. The 1,079 yards is just one of twelve 1,000-yard seasons in school history. His 18 TDs and 108 points that season were single-season school records at the time and currently rank second to Shaun Alexander in Crimson Tide football history.”
He went on to be a second round draft pick for the Eagles in 1992, and played in every game except one that season. He also enjoyed success in the NFL Europe playing for the Scottish Claymores from 1995 to 1997 and again in 2000, eventually earning a spot in the NFL Europe Hall of Fame. He also played in the Canadian Football League for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
After retiring from professional football, he worked with Hometown Lenders, Countrywide Home Mortgage, Wells Fargo and Coastal Community Bank, according to the biography.
“On November 19, 2007, Stacy was involved in an auto accident in which 6 people were killed,” according to the biography. “Bronson Stacy, 10, and Ellie Stacy, 2, and their mother, Ellen Stacy, were killed in the wreck. Also, two of his children by another marriage, Laquisa Stacy, 18, and Sydney Stacy, 9, were killed. Stacy and one daughter, Shelly, 4, survived the wreck. Siran shares with groups around the country his message of grace and survival during difficult times. He will inspire your group with his story of courage through his personal tragedy.”
The event is sponsored by First National Bank, Dr. Tom West, Coosa Valley Electrical Cooperative, Brannon’s Office Supply and the Ritz Theater.
April is Child Abuse Awareness Month, and Stacy’s appearance is only one of the events scheduled for the month to benefit Palmer Place, the Talladega County Children’s Advocacy Center. They are also selling handmade blue ribbon wreaths for $25 each, and T-shirts for $17 (long-sleeved) and $15 (short sleeved). The shirts are all blue. Employers are encouraged to let employees wear the shirts to work on Fridays during April.
There will be an open house April 6 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. sponsored by the Talladega Junior Welfare League.
Palmer Place Director Nancy Green said she hoped, “Through all these efforts we can raise the awareness of our community to the problems of child abuse.”
Amanda Thomas, who also works there, added, “Child abuse doesn’t discriminate. It doesn’t matter who you are, where you live or what church you go to. And it’s not the guy in the trench coat in the park. Most child abuse victims know their abusers. If you suspect child abuse, please report it to the Department of Human Resources or local law enforcement.”
