The Gallup brothers had a plan, a grand plan full of life and love and that magnificent journey from immortal teenagers to mature young men.
Darren Douglas Gallup and Billy Gallup Jr., two of the best prep football players to come out of Wellesley, Mass., would use Beantown as a backdrop for their success story.
“They were as close as two brothers could be,” Billy Gallup Sr., the director of football operations for Boston College, told The Post.
Darren and Billy Jr. had their own dreams. Yet for those dreams to be realized, Darren and Billy Jr. would have to part ways.
In almost every family photograph, Darren is wearing a Notre Dame baseball cap or jersey. And it seemed a birthright that wide receiver Billy Gallup Jr. would play for Billy Sr. at BC.
When Darren decided to attend Harvard, Billy Jr., two years younger, said he would follow. But the plan flipped upside down, just like the Jeep Darren was driving on that February night in 2003 when it hit an icy patch.
Doug Flutie waited in the snow and bone-chilling cold along with 1,000 other mourners to pay their respects. The Gallup brothers never would play together, never laugh together, and never be each other’s best man.
It’s impossible to know who was most devastated by Darren’s death. When he was born 10 days after Flutie won the Heisman Trophy, Billy and Victoria Gallup named their first son after the Flutie brothers. Then came a daughter, Lisa Ann.
“She was the buffer between them,” said Billy Sr. “If you know brothers, sometimes they need a buffer.”
Then came Billy Jr.
“My brother played a big role in my life,” said Billy Jr. “Almost every decision I made, he was a part of. But when it came time to choose a school, I had to make my own decision.”
Notre Dame (1-5), which hosts Boston College (6-0) on Saturday, was the third option. Billy Jr. asked ND coach Charlie Weis if could wear No. 21, Douglas’s number.
“It’s not my number,” said Billy Jr. “It’s my brother’s number. It will always be his number.”
Weis knew the tragic story. Douglas had been a ballboy for the New England Patriots when Weis was an assistant. Billy Jr., who was redshirted last season and is looking for his first catch, will be wearing a No. 21Notre Dame jersey.
His father will be wearing Boston College attire. Victoria and Lisa Ann hope Billy Jr. catches two touchdown passes and BC wins by two touchdowns.
“Douglas will be there watching,” said Billy Sr. “His seat is somewhere next to Touchdown Jesus.”