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Memories of the young legend
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Posted on Jun 24 1999
Antonio Sablan Sr. could not hold back his tears when Superior Court Associate Judge Timothy Bellas issued the sentence for murder convict Jesse James Camacho.
“Forty-five years is fair enough. I should be satisfied,” said Sablan, father of Antonio Sablan Jr.
Sablan Sr. said he could call it justice, but not anything that could alleviate the pain of losing a son.
“There’s nothing that could replace the life of my son,” said Sablan Sr., who was still choking with emotions while giving a brief interview with reporters.
All that was left with the Sablan family are memories of Jun-jun, a happy child who had dreamed of becoming a big football star someday.
The family is keeping Jun-jun’s journal, in which he outlined a dream that was to be shattered by members of the so-called Red Rum gang who took fancy on him.
Jun-jun was stabbed 37 times in their house in Dandan in April 1998.
“In order for me to achieve my goal, I will have to stay in school and get a masters degree,” wrote Jun-jun, a 13-year-old star athlete at Hopwood Junior High School.
“After I get my master’s degree, I have to try out for a college football team. When I have to play my guts out because the coaches are watching and looking for a good football player, and I have to be fast. When I’m done playing college football, I’ll have to hope and pray that they pick me.”
He had pictured himself becoming “one of the best football players” and “getting the most catches and yardage in the National Football League.”
“I will be rich and healthy. I will become a legend to all people and football players. I should make a world and record for all people to try and beat. When I retire, I will have a ceremony for my leaving the NFL,” he wrote.
Sadly, Jun-jun retired too early.
