If you have never read Coach Stallings book, GRAB IT! In it, he talks of John Mark's birth and what doctors told him to do. They told him to have JM institutionalized and visit him gradually and then decrease the visits until they never return. Coach Stallings said he nearly whipped that doctors azz!
Another story that he had told in the book and told at clinics and on radio is about his time with the Cowboys and Tom Landry. He said that Coach Landry would have a family day and that Stallis was nervous about having John Mark meet Coach Landry. He said JM was around 5-6 then and he would practice with him every evening. He said he worked with JM shaking hands and greeting him with, "nice to meet you Coach Landry. My name is John Mark." He said that NO ONE called him Tom. He said the day came and he had JM in the coaches lockerroom with them when Coach Landry walked in. He said that JM walked right up to him and held out his hand. Coach Landry looked at him. John Mark spoke. "Hi Tom! I am John Mark Stallings!" Coach Stallings said he was trying to crawl inside his locker when the biggest smile came across Coach Landry's face.
During my time, John Mark would come into the lockerroom and talk with anyone that would listen. I spoke with him whenever I could! Meeting Johnny as Coach called him, really left a lasting impression on me. When I did my practice teaching at Verner Elementary, I had one with Downs by the name of Walt Gary. He was a trip to be around! Since that time, I have had 5 other students with Downs. I love them all!!!
