BRANDON, FL -- The football field at Brandon High School. It conjures up a lot of memories.

When former Eagles get together, the stories start flowing.

On Friday nights in the early 80’s, the Brandon Eagles were the main attraction. And there was one guy who lit up the field.

“Andre was a human highlight reel,” said Gary Hunter, Brandon High Class of 1983.

“Every time he touched the ball, you knew something could happen,” said former Brandon High head coach Larry Bass.

Andre Darby, the diminutive running back who played larger than life, shined under the Friday night lights.

“This team was very special,” Bass said. “Andre was special player on a very special team.”

“It was beyond special,” Darby said. “Friday nights was everything. Can you imagine over 4,000 kids, 5,000 kids at this stadium and it’s rocking.”

Andre remembers the packed stands, the games, the times his Eagles filled the newspaper sports pages. But soon, Andre won’t be able to remember the glory days.

“To think that he’ll have to rely on those clippings to go back and remember this is heartbreaking,” Hunter said.

What began as forgetfulness at work, forgetting everyday tasks, forgetting where he was turned into an official diagnosis – early on-set dementia.

“The thing that got me the most, that helped me to appreciate something was wrong is when I turned the corner one day and I didn’t recognize the street,” Darby said.

Word soon spread of Andre’s condition and his Brandon High brethren sprang into action. A Facebook fundraiser, with a goal set at $15,000, surpassed that amount in four days.

“I knew how much he was loved,” Hunter said. “ It was just too easy to reach out to these guys and have them, and I shouldn’t say guys, guys and girls from all over the class responded. It makes me proud, very proud.”

“See, I’ve got to try and maintain my tears here,” Darby said. “That’s why I call them the Brandon faithful.”

The Brandon High community have wrapped its collective arms around Andre. 1983’s Mr. BHS found himself surrounded by Eagles love.

“By doing this, we’re giving him some of those good days to remember and I’m sure the boys will keep doing that,” Bass said.

Memories mean everything to Andre, even as they begin to fade.

“As time goes by, I might not be able to share them, but by means of my, once again, Brandon faithful, they’ll be able to share them and they can pass them on to their children,” Darby said. “And they can help them appreciate the beauty of giving.”

Andre’s memory is failing him. But his Brandon Eagles are not. Once an Eagle, always an Eagle.

If you would like to donate to Andre Darby's charity fund, click here for more information.