During the holiday season, North Crowley football coach Jamal Adams has a lot to be thankful for.
He's blessed to be alive.
If not for his guardian angel, Valerie Duran, he might not be.
Adams suffered a heart attack Nov. 15 during a North Crowley professional development meeting.
When he arrived to the hospital for precautionary measures, doctors told him only 10% to 15% of the people that suffer that type of heart attack survive.
"She's a real hero," Adams said.
"Valerie does a great job paying attention to our kids and making sure the coaches and teachers are all up to date when it comes to doing CPR for our children," North Crowley head coach Courtney Allen added. "We were prepared for it because she guides us. We're all grateful she was there."
Just a normal Friday turned into Adams' worst nightmare as the entire North Crowley High School faculty gathered in the library. Minutes in, Adams started to breathe heavily and began to pass out.
That's when Duran, the school's athletic trainer, stepped into action.
"I was texting people because we were also running a basketball tournament that weekend, and I was trying to figure the logistics out when someone yelled, 'Something is going on!' And that's when I saw coach Adams," said Duran, in her seventh year as AT at NCHS. "I got to him in three seconds, and it appeared to be a seizure."
Other North Crowley coaches began to help as well.
Adams began convulsing, and Duran made sure someone was timing each convulsion. Adams stopped convulsing and started to breathe steadily. He was in recovery mode as Duran kept an eye on him.
But then the North Crowley defensive coordinator stopped breathing.
"That's when I cut off his shirt, and someone brought me our Automated External Defibrillator," Duran said. "Our AED machine comes with directions and is an incredible tool."
Duran gave Adams a couple of shocks before starting compressions for CPR.
Then NCHS principal Daryl Porter placed the CPR mask over Duran's face.
"I started breathing into him, and on the second breath of the second round, I heard someone say, 'He's breathing,' and I look, and he's starting to move around," Duran said. "He began to open his eyes and was incredibly coherent.
"He immediately recognized me and said, 'What are you doing?' "
Added Allen: "She knew what to do. She did a great job moving people around, putting people to work. She's an angel that brought coach Adams back to life. I know she was emotional, but she did a helluva job. She didn't panic in the moment and brought our friend back."
Staff had called 911 and coach Adams' wife. Duran said it was a full team effort.
"My coaches and teachers were amazing. I had people waving down the ambulance outside, people holding doors open for the EMTs," Duran said. "I'm proud of my staff and how amazing it came together. We were on top of it."
Later that day at the hospital, Duran received a thank you message from coach Adams. He was doing OK.
"I wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for all those people, especially my guardian angel, Valerie, for helping me back," Adams said. "I'm making the most of life now. God is good, and I'm blessed to be here."
