Brian Hedger, Special to the Tribune

Jim Zimmer prides himself on being prepared for most scenarios.
Nothing could prepare him for the phone call he received the evening of Aug. 15. That’s when Zimmer was told that one of his players, senior Jonathan Branham, 17, died after a one-car accident hours earlier.
“It blindsides you,” said Zimmer, who has spoken with Branham’s parents and had a tough time talking about the tragedy last week. “It’s a shock. The only word I can say is just … terrible. It’s devastating and we’re trying to get through it.”
Zimmer addressed his team the next day, when the Thunderbolts decided to dedicate this season to Branham, a wide receiver. They will wear decals on their helmets bearing his initials.
“We’re a close team, and he’s been a member of the football family,” said Zimmer, who wasn’t comfortable allowing his players to talk about Branham’s death. “We are a tight program, and we really treat it as a family. When you lose somebody like that it’s devastating, and we’ve just got to pull together.”
According to what Zimmer was told, Branham was driving home late Sunday afternoon after visiting his grandmother when the accident occurred. Branham died at 7:06 p.m. that evening at St. James Hospital in Olympia Fields.
“It was just a bad accident,” Zimmer said. “There was nothing inappropriate about it or anything like that. It was just an unfortunate accident.”
Classes at Andrew began last Thursday, and Zimmer said counseling is available for all students.
“My heart goes out to Jon’s family,” he said. “I can’t imagine what they’re feeling. We’re just there to support the family and each other.”
A memorial service was held last Thursday for Branham.
His death is an emotional blow for a team that was gearing up for the season with a backfield that returns all of its starters, plus a pair of Division-I linemen leading the way on both sides. Tony Durkin and Chris O’Connor gave oral commitments this summer to play for Illinois and were excited to get their senior seasons started after a 6-4 finish last year.
The shock of losing a friend and teammate so suddenly has ended the festive atmosphere of summer practices. Zimmer said the Xs and Os are the least of the team’s worries.
“The main concern is rallying around each other and making sure everyone seeks any kind of emotional help they need,” he said. “That’s all we’re concerned with right now. Nothing could ever prepare you for dealing with something like this.”