Football tourney remembers Corbin Hayes

Corbin Hayes, the teenager who drowned in the Rio Grande last month, once wrote simply, "I hope to be remembered."

From that sentiment his family and friends are working hard to make sure his memory lives on.

"We love Corbin so much," his father Greg Hayes said. "It's hard to imagine life without him, but we have to go on."

He said his family will go on by remembering what Corbin was best at. Hayes said his son excelled in school.

Corbin didn't get to see his last report card, but Hayes said his son earned all As and Bs.

"He was a tremendous athlete, a tremendous brother and son," Hayes said.

Then there's Corbin the writer.

"One day your life will flash before your eyes, make sure it's worth watching," he wrote on his MySpace page. "I hope to be remembered. Not just recalled."

Corbin's words impressed his father. They were copied and pasted onto a Web site dedicated to Corbin.

The teen's father said he believes his son did live life to the fullest.

"As a parent you sometimes think you didn't do enough when they go," Hayes said. "But everyone's told me he had a wonderful life."

Corbin's friends and the community want to celebrate that life. Hundreds have come together in the last couple of days to make sure the Corbin Hayes Memorial 4th of July 4 on 4 Flag Football Tournament becomes an annual tradition.

"The reward is, you cannot put a price tag on that, without a doubt," organizer Anthony Jaramillo said.

The effort, Hayes said, helps in the healing process. It also honor's his son's wishes in helping him to be remembered, not recalled.

Hayes said he's grateful for everyone who has come forward to help. Throughout the interview with News 13 he repeatedly thanked the community including the mother who found Corbin several days after the river swept him away.

"My wife called him when he was born her angel baby," Hayes said. "Still my wife's angel baby."

Saturday's football tournament at the Rio Rancho High School stadium will begin at 10 a.m.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. Parking costs $5, and an all day pass costs $10.

Fireworks will begin around 8:30 p.m. followed by the rest of the tournament.

On Sunday, the tournament will begin at 10 a.m. and likely end between 3 and 4 p.m.

Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young will kick off the Saturday's tournament.