Dylan Bradshaw next to his 1991 Ford Mustang. The photo was taken in April. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BRADSHAW FAMILY MORE PHOTOS Dylan Bradshaw memorial The family of Dylan Bradshaw has extended an invitation to any member of the Northwood High School community to attend memorial services at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Calvary Chapel, Costa Mesa (on the corner of Fairview and Flower). Following the service there will be a reception (location to be determined) and a burial at Pacific View Memorial. Irvine news homepage Related links Students mourn death of Northwood High School football player Fund set up to honor memory of teen football player, help his family Northwood football player who died loved sports, coaches say 15-year-old football player honored at vigil Northwood players reach out to help Dylan Bradshaw's family

Memorial service for Northwood football player is Saturday

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Dylan Bradshaw's mother says he gave her 'the strength to live my life with grace and dignity, as you did yours.'

Northwood High's head football coach Rick Curtis will give the eulogy Saturday at a memorial service for Dylan Bradshaw, the 15-year-old football player who died last week.

"Saturday is going to be very difficult," Curtis said Tuesday in his first interview since the death of Bradshaw.

The service will be held at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa in Santa Ana Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Northwood Principal Leslie Roach said Wednesday that the family is inviting "any member of the Northwood High School community to attend."

Bradshaw, a defensive lineman, died May 28 after collapsing at a practice with the junior varsity team. It is unclear what led to Bradshaw's death.

Bradshaw's mother, Christine was making plans on Wednesday for the ceremony.

"Dylan is my heart," Christine Bradshaw said in an e-mail to the Orange County Register Wednesday. "He lived his life with integrity. His love for life showed in everything he did. Dylan was a genuine person. He gave care and compassion to others effortlessly and with such joy.

"He was the bright light that made me look forward to each day. Even though he only got to live for 15 1/2 years, he lived with no regrets. He gave his all. You made mommy proud.

"You give me the strength to live my life with grace and dignity as you did your's, my love. I will miss you, Dylan Spencer with every breath I take. I saw God's love shine through you, and I know you are at peace in heaven."

Northwood officials have also been trying to cope with Bradshaw's death this week and have found support from other coaches and players in the county.

Tuesday afternoon, El Toro High's football team presented Northwood with a large banner which included a message at the top which read, "El Toro is thinking of you."

Players on the team wrote personal messages.

The banner is displayed in the weight room at Northwood, where the football players were working out Tuesday.

Foothill's football coach, Doug Case, also sent flowers to the Northwood team on behalf of his squad.

Northwood football players are also trying to keep Dylan Bradshaw's spirit alive. They plan to dedicate the season to him and are also making plans for a lift-a-thon next week to help raise funds for the family.

"When we show up to practice and get the roll-call going, we still call his name and instead of sitting there in silence, we all say, 'here,' and it won't change throughout the whole year," said running back Cody Inglis.