OMG!!! Am short of words. A gentleman ordering a birthday cake just shared this sad true life story with me. Please make time to read this ok. You have to read this. He said, he lived alone with his father, and the two of them had a very special relationship. Even though he was always on the bench during football games, his father was always in the stands cheering. He never missed a game. This young man was still the smallest of the class when he entered high school, Garrison Basic School. But his father continued to encourage him but also made it very clear that he did not have to play football if he didnt want to. But he said he loved football and decided to hang in there. He was determined to try his best at every practice, thinking perhaps hed get to play when he became a senior. All through high school he never missed a practice nor a game, but remained a bench warmer all three years. His faithful father was always in the stands, always with words of encouragement for him. When the young man went to senior high, Pope Johns Secondary, he decided to try out for the football team as awalk-on. Everyone was sure he could never make the cut, but he did. The coach admitted that he kept him because he always puts his heart and soul into every practice, and at the same time, provided the other members with the spirit and hustle they badly needed. The news that he had survived the cut thrilled him so much that he rushed to the nearest phone and called his father. His father shared his excitement and was called to come watch every game. This persistent young athlete never missed practice during his three years at school, but he never got to play in the game. It was the end of the years senior football season, and as he trotted onto the practice field shortly before the big play off game, the coach met him with a letter. The young man read the letter and he became deathly silent. Swallowing hard, he mumbled to the coach, My father died this morning. Is it all right if I miss practice today? The coach put his arm gently around his shoulder and said, Take the rest of the week off, son. And dont even plan to come back to the game on Saturday. Saturday arrived, and the game was not going well. In the third quarter, when the team was trailing by four goals, a silent young man quietly slipped into the empty locker room and put on his football gear. As he ran onto the sidelines, the coach and his players were astounded to see their faithful team mate back so soon. Coach, please let me play. Ive just got to play today, said the gentleman. The coach pretended not to hear him. There was no way he wanted his worst player in this close play off game. But the young man persisted, and finally feeling sorry for the kid, the coach gave in. All right, he said. You can go in. Before long, the coach, the players and everyone in the stands could not believe their eyes. This little unknown, who had never played before except training sessions was doing everything right. The opposing team could not stop him. He ran, he passed, blocked and tackled like a star. His team began to triumph. The score was soon tied. In the closing seconds of the game, this kid intercepted a pass and ran all the way and scored. The fans broke loose. His team mates hoisted him onto their shoulders. Such cheering youve never heard! Finally, after the stands had emptied and the team had showered and left the locker room, the coach noticed that the young man was sitting quietly in the corner all alone. The coach came to him and said, Kid, I cant believe it. You were fantastic! Tell me what got into you? How did you do it? He looked at the coach, with tears in his eyes, and said, Well, you knew my dad died, but did you know that my dad was blind? He said he swallowed hard and forced a smile, Dad came to all my games, but today was the first time he could see me play, and I wanted to show him I COULD DO IT! Hmmm.... Lets share this yh, it can help encourage and uplift someone today. You can like and comment too.
Posted on: Fri, 31 Oct 2014 13:19:33 +0000
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