While a high school star quarterback played the game of his life during the state championship, burglars ransacked his Griffin home, stealing just about everything.
He said that, instead of celebrating when he returned home, he and his parents spent time putting their home back together.
Jaquez Parks led the Griffin Bears to a AAAA-State championship against the Carrolton Trojans inside the Georgia Dome Saturday.
Parks played the game of his life with 574 yards and five touchdowns, but his moment of glory came to an end when he returned home later that night.
"It just angered me. I go out and do that for my city, played the best game of my life and they do that to me, and it angers me and makes me sad," Parks said.
Burglars ransacked his home. City of Griffin police confirmed to Channel 2 Action News that the intruders took television sets, an iPad, an Xbox, clothes and money. The family said police told them the burglars used an ax to break in.
"All my drawers on the floor. My bed was flipped over. My TV was gone. Some of my clothes are missing," Parks said.
The Parks family said they believe the burglars took advantage of this state championship game.
"I think I was targeted because they knew that my whole family supports me. They knew whole family was going to be there," Parks said.
"There were some more breaking in Griffin last night, maybe the whole town was gone," Parks said.
Parks' father said he won the state championship in 1988. He always told his son winning this game would be the most important day in his life and while it's been tarnished, he said his son always overcomes obstacles thrown his way.
"We got a lot of people in the community that love Jaquez and love us too. We will be OK. Stumble for a minute, but get back up," Orenthian Parks said
Parks' mother also said that despite the break-in, she is grateful for the state championship and that all the players are safe after a tough game.
Griffin police are looking for leads to find those responsible.
The football booster club is collecting donations at this website, Griffin High School or the Touchdown Club.
