When tragedy devastated a small town, an unlikely source of inspiration pieced the community back together in this dramatic true story. On a Sunday in May 2008, an F5 tornado hit the town of Parkersburg, Iowa, killing eight people and destroying 250 homes and businesses within a span of 34 seconds. The next day, Parkersburg's beloved football coach, Ed Thomas, made a stunning prediction: "God willing, we will play our first home game here on this field this season." One hundred days later, the home team scored a victory on the field they dubbed the Sacred Acre, serving as a galvanizing point for the town to band together and rebuild. But just as Parkersburg was recovering, another disaster struck. While working with a group of football and volleyball players early one morning, one of Thomas's former students walked in and gunned him down at point-blank range. Thomas was only 58 years old. The murder of this hometown hero spread across national news headlines, and Thomas's community reeled from the shock. But his story doesn't end there. As you discover more about this incredible town, you'll learn: That grief is no match for love - The life-changing power of faith and forgiveness - What it truly means to lean on your community - How to use your God-given gifts for good Praise for The Sacred Acre : "Ed Thomas was a man who lived the gospel, loved his family, and believed in doing things the right way. He taught his players that there are no shortcuts and that you will ultimately be judged, not by what you did, but on how you did it. His heart, his faith, and his Christian character are evident in so many of them. I believe that reading this book will give you a better understanding of this special man and the example he left for all of us to follow." --Tony Dungy, former head coach of the Indianapolis Colts Award-winning author and storyteller Mark Tabb has authored and coauthored over forty books, including the #1 New York Times bestseller and Mom’s Choice Award winner Mistaken Identity . His book Convicted: An Innocent Man, the Cop Who Framed Him, and an Unlikely Journey of Forgiveness and Friendship , written with Jameel McGee and Andrew Collins, received a 2017 Christopher Award. His other New York Times bestsellers include The Light Within Me with Fox and Friends coanchor Ainsley Earhardt, A Promise to Ourselves with Alec Baldwin, The Unusual Suspect with Stephen Baldwin, and The Sacred Acre: The Ed Thomas Story . For more, visit www.marktabb.com . The Sacred Acre By Mark Tabb Zondervan Copyright © 2011 Parkersburg Productions, LLC All right reserved. ISBN: 978-0-310-31897-2 Contents Foreword by Tony Dungy..............................................9A Note from the Ed Thomas Family....................................11INTRODUCTION: The sacred acre.......................................13CHAPTER 1: EF5......................................................21CHAPTER 2: no place Like home.......................................31CHAPTER 3: a storm of doubt.........................................45CHAPTER 4: "We Will rebuild"........................................53Chapter 5: starting over............................................63CHAPTER 6: unparalleled opportunity.................................75CHAPTER 7: "You Would do the same Thing for me".....................85CHAPTER 8: after the cameras disappear..............................93CHAPTER 9: halftime.................................................103CHAPTER 10: a summer of change......................................111CHAPTER 11: First Glimpse of normalcy...............................119CHAPTER 12: more Than a Game........................................125CHAPTER 13: The Final season........................................135CHAPTER 14: The First Family Vacation (Ever)........................145CHAPTER 15: an ordinary day.........................................153CHAPTER 16: The unthinkable, June 24, 2009..........................163CHAPTER 17: a nightmare unfolds.....................................177CHAPTER 18: Grief and Grace.........................................191CHAPTER 19: The hardest part........................................199CHAPTER 20: Good-Bye................................................207EPILOGUE: Getting up, moving Forward................................215APPENDIX 1: Team rosters............................................223APPENDIX 2: coaches.................................................241Acknowledgments.....................................................243 Chapter One EF5 When the wind starts blowing, don't tell me about the hurricane; just bring the ship home, fellas. ED THOMAS A low rumble of thunder rattled the glass in the windows of Ed Thomas's classroom. He glanced outside and noticed the sky had grown much darker since he arrived at the school a few minutes earlier. "Looks like the farmers at church this morning were on the money," he said to himse