*In Memoriam: Marc Spector

[speculadora]

I’m not sure how many of you were around when Marc Spector was, but I have some unfortunate news to share. Early yesterday morning, Spector (user RedCydranth) passed away from complications of cystic fibrosis. He and bwestfield (who did ok my making this post) were real life friends of nearly 20 years, so feel free to join me in offering condolences to Westy - though maybe not by DM, I don't want him to have a billion pings.

Spector was one of the first people to scout me back when I joined in Season 6, and managed to make me fall in the love with the Otters despite them being at the tail end of a three-peat. He’s honestly the reason that I thought the Otters' open co-GM position was worth leaving NOLA for when I saw it. He definitely had a way of connecting with people that we'll miss greatly, and I'm sure anyone who shared the OCO discord with him would tell you the same. He acted as co-GM and then a scout for OCO before and during the S4-S6 run, and again as my co-GM when he returned to the site from hiatus. It’s not a reach to say that without him OCO never become as successful as we have been. That’s to say nothing of his own Hall of Fame cornerback that played nine seasons for us.

Spector was legitimately one of the most important Otters – both as a user and player – in the team’s history. That’s not small praise. I know that this league and this team both meant something to him, so we wanted to immortalize his presence by retiring his jersey number as part of breaking this news.

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I don’t want to get into Spector’s condition or leave you with some message because he did that job far better than I ever could. So I’ll leave you with the media he posted when he returned to the league because it feels pretty fuckin’ on point right about now.

Hey, I know my fellow Otters knew I went inactive for a season or so. I wonder if anyone else noticed. Wouldn't be offended if you didn't. But here's my story.

This is real life stuff. Not a fictional story or anything. I have a lung disease and three and a half years ago I received a double lung transplant. it gave me fresh life and a new beginning. But about a month and a half ago I became quite ill. I was diagnosed with pneumonia, which kills a LOT of lung transplant patients. I fought through it and returned home, only to find a week later it came back, and harder. A lot harder. I was gasping for air like I was drowning. I sincerely thought I was going to die one night, as I did my best to explain to my friend in the hospital room with me all the things I wanted at my funeral and how to make the arrangements. I could feel myself getting weaker by the hour. Eventually I go so bad they had to but me on a respirator and fly me to New York City to be treated. I woke up in the ICU with a tube in my mouth and on some seriously heavy stuff. I was hallucinating and nothing made sense. No joke, I thought I was on a naval vessel because there was a circular window and I heard a toot sound once.

Eventually I regained strength and the doctors removed the breathing tube from my throat and I was able to breathe on my own once again. But it was still extremely labored and with oxygen on. As it turns out, in addition to the pneumonia, my lungs also were suffering from rejection. Rejection is when your body's immune system recognizes the new organ as an invader and attacks it. I take medicine that is supposed to prevent it, but sometimes it happens anyways. So, for me, both rejection and infection hit simultaneously. This double whammy should have killed me. I spent the entire month of May in the hospital fighting this combo.

Through a series of different treatments, I was able to stave off further damage to my lungs from rejection and am now in the destroying the bacterial infection that is causing pneumonia part of the battle. I am back home from the hospital and on IV medication. I am still on oxygen and likely will be for the rest of my life. Any sort of exertion is very tiring for me, so getting up and walking to the bathroom makes me feel like you would if you ran down the street as fast as you can. It's annoying to have to catch your breath every time you do a simple task.

Why am I telling you all this? Do I want your sympathy or pity? No. I want to let you all know how fleeting life is, and that no matter how great you are one day, you never know what cards are gonna fall into your hand next. You could get cancer, get hit by a car and paralyzed, or you could win the lottery.

My message is this: Enjoy what you have. Any loved ones you have, cherish them. Tell them you love them. Let them know what you mean to them, because you never truly know what the future brings. You have one life. Go live it. Got a chance to go see a band you love? Go see them, don't put it off. Have a chance to go to that country you love? Go. Forget whatever is gonna hold you back from making memories you're going to cherish for a lot longer than whatever obligations are holding you back (unless it's your kid. Stay if you've gotta ditch your child to do it. Be a good parent.) Go ask that girl or guy out. You literally have nothing to lose. This is your only shot at life, make every decision count.

Some of us from OCO are going to pitch in to send some kind of funeral arrangement. If you’re interested in contributing, please contact TC (Timeconsumer on the forums, preaux#6258 on discord).

[timeconsumer]

Gonna miss him, was such an awesome guy to have around. He genuinely wanted to be your friend.

[Molarpistols]

He was a great guy and a better friend. A truly awesome person that'll be sorely missed. He sincerely cared about the people around him.

[Jiggly_333]

I'll just copy and paste what I said in the Otters LR:

I’m not good at knowing what to say when someone dies, but I hope Spector has peace now. I remember that he’d been dealing with this illness for a long time. Not only was he my Co-GM for a while, but he was incredibly supportive of me when I was trying to learn guitar.
He was a good guy and made a positive difference in people’s lives
And that’s all you can really ask for in life.

[RainDelay]

Wow, I actually can’t believe what I’m reading. Marc was always a fun person to interact with, and definitely added a good dose of character to the league in some of its darkest times.

Rest in paradise, my friend.

[Raven]

Man that's rough to read. Never got to share a lr with him, but a user I did always recognise. Rest in piece Spector.

[WALDO]

With all due respect:

F

[woelkers]

I never had an opportunity to interact with Spector myself, but knowing how important he was to this community generally and to Westy in particular, my heart hurts from this loss. Last I spoke to Westy, he was taking things in stride, but he expects to be away from the league for a while. Westy is the reason I am in the position I am in today, and I can't imagine Westy can't attribute some part of himself to Spector, so I will remember Spector as I think of Westy: a guiding influence, and a good person.

[gucci]

Wow really tough to read. Great guy from our limited interactions. Cystic Fibrosis is no joke and a terribly sad disease. May Spector love on in our memories and the man behind the player live on in the memories of his friends and family.

[Buttersqauch101]

This is a player name I can recognize even though I don’t believe I talked to him, but this is still extremely sad as it seems he made a major impact of the people in this league and a lot of people are gonna miss him. I wish him and his family and friends the best of luck coming up through this hard time