There will be 22 players motivated to leave Wembley with the FA Cup in their grasp on Saturday but one player in particular has the driving force of heartbreak behind him.
Jack Grealish’s younger brother Keelan passed away when the Aston Villa player was just four years old and Grealish will be looking to honour his memory when he steps out on the Wembley turf.
Keelan tragically suffered cot death in April 2000 at just nine months old and father Kevin Grealish was in London remembers the devastating news vividly. He was at the 2000 FA Cup semi-final between Aston Villa and Bolton when he heard of the passing of his youngest son.
Jack Grealish continues to pay homage to his brother, having tweeted on the anniversary of his tragic death and dedicating his first senior goal to Keelan.
15 years ago today , love you bro pic.twitter.com/wFWNK7Rxvo
— Jack Grealish (@JackGrealish1) April 2, 2015
And Kevin Grealish told the Birmingham Mail how much of an impact Keelan’s death had on Jack.
“Jack was only a kid himself back then,” he said. “But he still remembers Keelan and he still thinks about him with everything he achieves.
“I said to Jack when I remember the last FA Cup semi final against Bolton and the news we got that day, and then I think about what he achieved and the way he played against Liverpool, he made us so proud and brought us so much happiness.
“We still miss Keelan and still think about him – you never ever get over losing a child – but we are so grateful and lucky that we are blessed with Jack, his brother Kevan and his little sisters Holly and Kiera.
“It’s been a special time for the family lately with the way Jack has developed at Villa and we know he will be determined to make Keelan and the rest of us proud by winning the FA Cup.”
Quotes and photo via Birmingham Mail
