For decades, football coach Kevin Atkinson helped shape young athletes and build teams at Marcus High School in Flower Mound. Now, his family is rallying around him as he faces a rare brain disease that has taken away many of the things he once did for himself. Atkinson retired from Marcus High S chool in 2023. Since then, his family has largely remained private while navigating his diagnosis of progressive supranuclear palsy, or PSP. His children, Colton and Lexi, described their father as selfless and tough — a coach whose commitment to his players was part of who he was. “I was born on a Wednesday and that Friday, my dad was at a game coaching,” said his daughter Lexi Martinez. Lexi Martinez hands her child to her father, coach Kevin Atkinson. Today, Atkinson is still listening to the plays, but now they are being called out by his wife and their three adult children as they help care for him. “Over time, it slowly just crept its way in,” said Lexi. “He needs help getting dressed. He needs help brushing his teeth, eating.” Atkinson now requires full-time support and care from his family. “You see your dad as like a superhero and someone that’s truly just invincible,” said Lexi. “Watching this disease just take over and take so many things from him. It’s been incredibly painful.” Coach Kevin Atkinson walks with his son, Colton. As medical bills and medication costs continue to add up, his family welcomes support, but they also want to turn their pain into a purpose by helping other families facing similar battles know they aren’t alone. “I might not be able to save my dad’s life, but I might be able to save someone’s life in the future,” Colton said. Above all, Atkinson’s family wants people to remember the coach who spent decades mentoring young athletes and building character — not the disease that has changed his life. “We want people to remember him as Coach Kevin Atkinson, the strong, resilient football coach, not what PSP has taken from us,” Lexi said. ...read more read less