Son of Bryan Stow thriving despite obstacles

Scott’s Valley Senior Tyler Stow has been forced to deal with more than the average 17-year-old.

Tyler is the son of Bryan Stow, the San Francisco Giants fan brutally beaten at Dodger Stadium nearly five years ago.

“I kind of dealt with it internally, but I had a lot of support from people, so it wasn’t like I was dealing with it alone completely,” said Tyler Stow.

The attack by two men left his father with massive brain damage, and a young Tyler feeling mixed emotions.

“Obviously sad, but I’d say confused and angry a lot of the times,” said Tyler.

Bryan’s rehabilitation has been slow, but he’s now mobile with a little extra help.

“I’d rather have that than anything in the world. He’s still walking,” said Tyler.

Tyler was faced with yet another challenge a few months ago. His step-father died after a battle with cancer.

“Yeah it was a pretty big shocker. A lot of my family is like, well, you gotta step up around the house, you gotta do this, you gotta do that, and I’ve been trying my best to balance football and weightlifting and figuring out school because, I’m looking for colleges next year.”

But young Mr. Stow is resiliant. He says his experiences have made him a better leader and quarterback on the Scotts Valley football team.

“It’s kind of funny how people say well you can take what you learn in football and use it outside but really I’m taking what’s happening outside and using it in football. Cause people don’t really have to deal with a lot of stuff like this.”

He’s learning from what life gives him, never asking ‘”why me?”‘

“I could say that if I wanted to and make myself feel bad about it or i could just roll with the punches and just take it. Something good comes out of everything even if it is looked upon in a really bad light. I knew that because of what happened to my biological father and luckily he’s still here with us. I never take anything for granted anymore because it can be taken away like that, like real quick,” said Tyler.

And he’s got quite the arm which he was able to show off to the San Francisco Giants during their ceremonial first pitch four years ago.

Tyler says his father’s progress motivates him more every day.

“A lot of times I tell myself he went through so much more than I have, so why do I have an excuse to back off this?’ said Tyler.

And it’s made him the undisputed leader of his football team.

“The things that are important that he’s going to be able to carry with him into his adult life and what he’s going to bring as a quarterback this season he has in excess. So I’m just really excited to see what he’s going to do this year and how he’s going to lead this team,” said Quarterback’s Coach, Kirk Jennings.

As for Tyler? he’s ready for anything.

“Now that I’ve seen what i can overcome. how I can persevere through physical and mental hardships, there’s not reason to back down from a challenge cause you’re only going to get better the next time,” said Tyler.