I wish I did.

His teammates spoke of an unbridled passion for football, one that transcended the playing field. It carried over to walks to and from, you guessed it, Montclair High School football practices and during video games of Madden football at home with friends.

As word spread last week that Dougherty was in critical condition after suffering a brain hemorrhage playing the sport he loved, photos began circulating on the Internet in support of Ryne. Many of the photos share two common things: Dougherty’s trademark locks and his Montclair High football jersey.

When Dougherty died two days after he collapsed, more photos popped up. Same hair. Same royal blue jersey that he wore, full of Mountie pride. On his own Facebook page, Dougherty is shown clad in his No. 44 MHS jersey, scowling his best football scowl.

It seems that was his football persona. Outside the lines, Dougherty was genuine and loyal to friends. And even to those whom he didn’t know.

Standing on Church Street in front of Christ Church amid hundreds of mourners following Dougherty’s funeral this past Monday, Keshia Golding Cooper, a Student Assistance Counselor at the high school, discussed a conversation she had with a colleague that epitomized Dougherty’s enormous heart.

"So many kids have come to us unable to come to grips with Ryne’s death, and that’s clearly understandable," said Golding Cooper, who was one of Dougherty’s track and field coaches last spring. Dougherty threw the javelin and discus. "One student who had just come to Montclair went to another counselor extremely distraught. They said that when they were wandering around the third floor of the high school during their first day at a new school, Ryne was the one who came over and asked them if they needed help.

"Being helpful and caring for others will be Ryne’s legacy. I will remember him as thoughtful and someone who was always ready to help others.

"It hurts so much that he’s no longer with us."

In a way, Dougherty is still with us.

Dougherty’s parents, Martin Dougherty and Marinalva Schnarr, made the decision to donate their 16-year-old son’s organs once it became clear he wouldn’t regain consciousness. His pancreas and kidneys will be given to someone in New Jersey. His liver was sent to Maryland.

In life, Dougherty gave people his heart. In death, his parents decided he should keep it.

Travis Hubbard, a football teammate and Dougherty’s best friend on the team, said he learned to be more self-aware and mature during countless hours spent with Dougherty.

The impromptu speech Hubbard delivered last Friday at the candlelight vigil held for Dougherty, and the way he addressed the 1,100 mourners during Dougherty’s funeral, made it clear Hubbard was an exemplary pupil to his outstanding mentor.

"Ryne doesn’t deserve to be gone because he was an angel down here with all of us," Hubbard said. "But now he is just up there, still making us all stronger."

Dougherty collapsed while making a tackle from his linebacker spot during a junior varsity football game. It was his first game back after being cleared by his doctor and neurologist since suffering a concussion a month ago. Slowly working his way back into the special-teams rotation on the varsity level, his relentless work ethic was noticed by even the best Mounties.

MHS starting tailback Landon Crawford dragged Ridgewood defenders on his back during several runs in Montclair’s 17-14 win this past Saturday. He piled up 141 yards and two touchdowns on 32 carries. It was Crawford’s conscious way of acting out Dougherty’s subconscious examples.

"Before and even after he got hurt early in the season, Ryne always worked so hard in practice. No matter what the drill was," said Crawford, covered in grass stains, sweat and dirt on Saturday. "I had Ryne in my heart today and on my mind. He was a hard worker and that’s what he instilled in me. Ryne carried me along when two or three guys tried to bring me down.

"He kept me going."

It’s not too late to learn from Ryne Dougherty. His lessons can keep us going, too.