POTOMAC, Md. — A high school football team is remembering their coach while playing in their first home game since Coach Ray Butler passed away.
Butler was a coach for the Bulldogs when he suddenly died earlier this month. He was also a mentor and friend to many in the community.
"Ray passed late last night, and his sudden departure leaves a void that will be deeply felt across our entire community, particularly among our football players, who knew him not just as a coach, but as a mentor and friend," said the Head of School Christian Sullivan when announcing Butler's death on Sept. 3.
Bullis had worked at the school for more than a decade and was in his second season being head coach when he collapsed after a game. It was later revealed the 48-year-old died from a brain hemorrhage.
“He would give you that grin and it would calm you down a bit,” said Director of Athletics Justin Leith. “Always had that smile, that’s his normal Ray face.”
On Friday, the private school turned the football team's first home games into a night to honor and remember their former coach. Several moments are planned for the game with "Play for Ray" as the evening's theme. That phrase is on t-shirts many are wearing to the game.
All the proceeds from the t-shirts will go to Butler's family.
“Honestly the kids need it, it’s a tough time right now but having a family in the Bullis community and everyone around in the area, it means the world to us," said Head Coach Skyler Springs.
While at the game, WUSA9 noticed a golf cart sitting nearby as a reminder of Butler.
"He always drove the golf cart," said Springs. "He was all over the field, the place and you could always find him in a cart.”
Details regarding funeral arrangements for Butler have not yet been released.