AVON, Ohio - A standing ovation wasn't what Avon resident Kerry Barvincak had in mind when he decided to paint the Avon High School football team's new tradition of carrying the American flag onto the field before games.
However, that's exactly what he received Oct. 6 when before the team's game he presented the players and staff with his painting of the squad carrying Old Glory onto the gridiron.
"I live on Detroit Road, right down from the high school," said Vietnam veteran Barvincak, 67. "My wife and I have a huge American flag between two trees in our front yard. In light of the controversy surrounding the NFL, I saw a picture in the paper with the kids running out with the flag. I told my wife I have to do something for them. So I did this painting.
"I will say, I've done a lot of artwork for people over the years, and I never had a response like that. I held the picture up in the locker room and the kids really went crazy. It was really cool."
Avon Local Schools Superintendent Mike Laub added, "We are extremely thankful to belong to such a wonderful community. Seeing something so important to our students being captured and recognized by a veteran is priceless."
Going forward the painting will remain in the team's locker room for current and future players to see.
"In response to the recent controversy and kneeling during the National Anthem, our players made a decision to honor our veterans by carrying the flag every week we run on to the field for our Friday night games," Avon High School head football coach Mike Elder said.
"Our program realizes that freedom isn't free, and we're appreciative to all of the service men and women who defend our freedom."
As far as the artwork is concerned, Barvincak, who is known for painting VFW post murals around the community, said he told the football players he didn't put numbers on the jerseys as a sign of unity.
"I think the football coach and athletic director are telling these kids about respecting the flag," Barvincak said. "The kids are really taking to that. A lot of them came up and thanked me for their service.
"In regards to what's going on in the NFL, and things around the country, it's nice to see somebody respecting the flag. And on the other side of the coin, I respect people's rights to protest. That's why we fought in wars. That's what the country is all about. I don't agree with it, but that's what it's about."