Courage
[ Feature Stories ] [ Contents ]
A teenager lived alone with his father. The two of them had a very special
relationship. Even though the son was always on the bench, 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. But his father continued to encourage him but also made it very clear that he did not have to play football if he didn't want to. But the young man loved the game and decided to hang in there. He was determined to try his best at every practice, and perhaps he'd 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 four years. His faithful father was always in the stands, always with words of encouragement for him. When the young man went to college, he decided to try out for the team as a "walk-on". Everyone was sure he could never make the cut, but he did. The coach admitted that he always kept him on the roster because he always put his heart and soul into every practice. At the same time, he provided the other members with the spirit and hustle they badly needed.
The news that he had made the cut thrilled him so much that he rushed to the nearest phone and called his father. His father shared his excitement and was sent season tickets to all the college games. This persistent young athlete never missed a practice during his four years, and sadly enough he never played in a game either.
It was the end of his senior football season, and as he trotted on to the practice field shortly before the big play off game, the coach met him with a telegram. When the young man read the telegram he became deathly silent. With tears in his eyes he swallowed hard and mumbled to the coach, "My father died this morning. Is it alright if I miss practice today?" The coach put his hand gently on his shoulder and said, "Take the rest of the week off and don't even plan on coming to the game Saturday."
Saturday arrived and the game was not going well. In the third quarter, when the team was ten points behind, a silent young man quietly crept into an empty locker room. With all the courage he could muster he slipped in to his uniform and jogged out onto the sidelines. The coach and his players were astounded to see their faithful teammate back so soon. "Coach please let me play! I've just gotta play today," said the young man. The coach pretended not to hear him. There was no way he wanted his worst player to play in the biggest game of the season. But the young man persisted, and feeling sorry for the kid finally gave in. "Al 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 nobody, who had never played was doing everything right! The opposing team could not stop him. He ran, he passed, he blocked and tackled like a star! His team began to triumph and the score was soon tied. In the closing seconds of the game the kid intercepted a pass and ran all the way for the winning touchdown! The fans broke loose! His teammates hoisted him onto their shoulders. Such cheering like you have never heard!
Finally, after the stands had emptied and the team had showered and had left the locker room, the coach noticed that the young man was sitting in a corner all alone. The coach came to him and said, "Kid, I can't 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 coach. But did you know he was blind?" The young man swallowed hard and forced a smile.
"Dad
came to all my games, but today was the first one that he could see me play, I
wanted to show him I could do it!"
Author: Amy Moore
Submitted by: Christina Dawson
Kentucky, USA