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Wednesday, November 15, 2000
Three generations, It was Aug. 6, 1978, when 21-year-old Al Fernandez Jr. was driving home with his girlfriend and two other friends.
three champions
The Fernandez family is bound
by football titles at St. Louis School
and tragedyBy Ben Henry
Special to the Star-Bulletin"He was a little tired,'' the young man's father, Al Fernandez Sr. recalled. "He was speeding, and he didn't negotiate a turn. Four people flew out (of the car). The three girls survived, but he landed on his head. The doctor said he was in such good shape he would have survived if he had landed on any other part of his body.''
Today, the elder Fernandez, 68, carries himself gracefully, not losing his composure while recalling the tragedy. But no matter how hard he tries to hide it, his pain is obvious.
"It was the worst experience I ever encountered," said Al Fernandez Sr., a proud man who has lived a life full of good times and bad.
As a soldier, he served in the Korean War. While in the military, he jumped out of an airplane more than 100 times.
As a football player from 1947 to 1949, he was part of St. Louis School's first-ever undefeated and untied team.
Fernandez began a legacy that outlived his son -- who also starred for St. Louis. It breathes on today in the achievements of Kainoa, who is his grandson, and the nephew of Al Fernandez Jr.
Kainoa, like his uncle and grandfather before him, plays for St. Louis. The Crusaders are Hawaii's dominant high school football team, winning last year's inaugural state championship and the previous 13 Prep Bowls.
St. Louis opens its title defense Friday when it faces Castle at Aloha Stadium in the first round of the 2000 Chevron State Football Championships.
Although Kainoa has emerged as one of the Crusaders' best receivers this season as a junior, it's easy for him to get lost in the shuffle of great St. Louis players.
But there is something else that makes him special -- he is a third-generation champion.
Despite leading a corps of extremely talented receivers in yardage with 356 in the Crusaders' pass-happy offense, he says his unique perspective in this chain of champions keeps him down to earth in football and in life.
"I'm just thankful to be able to play," Kainoa said. "I know my roots."
If he should ever forget, his grandfather can remind him.
Al Fernandez Sr. vividly recalls his playing days under head coach Neal Blaisdell, whom he called a "great leader" and a "father figure."
He remembers how simple the offenses were back then, running out of a straightforward T-formation with a vertical running attack.
"The game wasn't as technical as it is today," he said.
And he still has the game ball he was awarded after intercepting two passes when his undefeated Crusaders beat the undefeated McKinley Tigers, 13-6, on Oct. 16, 1949.
He swells with pride when he recalls how his son stuffed Punahou's Mosi Tatupu, who went on to play in the NFL, in a statewide televised game.
"He was proud of being a small guy on a championship team," Fernandez Sr. said. "When Tatupu, who was 220 pounds, 6-foot-2, was trying to get into the end zone, he tackled him one-on-one."
Fernandez Jr. was on the varsity team in 1972 and 1973. He played for current coach Cal Lee's first team in 1972 and in the first Prep Bowl in 1973 (a 6-0 loss to Waianae).
Fernandez Jr. was just 5-feet-7 and 130 pounds, but he was fast. Speed was also a factor in his other interests.
"He used to go to Hawaii Raceway Park and race," Fernandez Sr. said. "He loved speed, so we got him a Porsche. That's the last car he ever drove."
Speed also defines Kainoa Fernandez. He has burned countless secondaries with his foot speed.
Kainoa never knew his uncle but he feels a close bond through the St. Louis connection.
"I know he's watching," Kainoa said. "I hope he's up there proud of me."
When Kainoa Fernandez was born in 1983 to Al Sr.'s daughter, Teri Fernandez, they both realized the significance. The family's Crusader legacy had a chance to live on.
"I knew he was destined for St. Louis," Teri Fernandez said.
There was never a question for Kainoa.
"Even when I was growing up. I knew I would go to St. Louis,'' he said. "I got to carry on the family name."
Fernandez Sr. says Kainoa's birth, five years after the death of his son, was a godsend.
"It's the old saying, life goes on,'' he said about losing his son. "Then along comes Kainoa and he falls right in step, and in fact one step beyond. When he was born it was like a rejuvenation."
Kainoa values his family above all. He says he wants to return all that has been given to him.
"I try to make (my family) happy, to do the best I can so they can live through me again," he said.
While Fernandez Sr. said his grandson is a good athlete in others sports, he admits special delight in Kainoa's football prowess.
"I think this is what keeps me alive," Fernandez Sr. said. "What better way to live on than through your grandson?"
On the wall of the Fernandez home in Aiea is a picture of a 1-year-old Kainoa with a huge grin and carefully grasping -- what else -- a football.
