The rigors of training camp for new Redskins defensive end Stephen Bowen are no comparison to the pain and personal tragedy he suffered this summer.
Bowen and his wife Tiffany became parents on June 28 to extremely premature twins: Skyler and Stephen III, according to the Associated Press. They were born almost four months early, called “micro preemies” and weighing just more than a pound.
Skyler died 10 days after birth. Stephen III remains in the hospital and continues to improve. He could be released from the hospital as early as next month.
“Things are a lot better,” Bowen said. “It’s still hard. I still think about the son we lost every day. He was just an inspiration for us. While he was here, he was fighting every day to try to be here for us. So the least I can do is just work my butt off and try to be the best football player I can be.”
It’s hard to imagine what Bowen and his wife are going through. Tiffany and the family’s 21-month-old daughter remain in Dallas, while Stephen goes to training camp. Tiffany hopes to join her husband in D.C. when Stephen III is out of the hospital.
“I don’t think you can know how he feels unless you’ve been in his shoes,” coach Mike Shanahan said. “Words can’t express what he and his family are feeling.”
We send our thoughts and best wishes to the Bowen family for Stephen III’s continued improvement. Hopefully the Bowens can all come back together in D.C. in September.