This teenager lived alone with his father, and 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 football 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. 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
football team as a "walk-on." Everyone was sure he could never make the
cut, but he did. The coach admitted that he kept him on the roster
because he always puts his heart and soul to 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 sent season tickets for all the college
games. This persistent young athlete never missed practice during his
four years at college, but he never got to play in the game. It was the
end of his senior football season, and as he trotted onto the practice
field shortly before the big play off game, the coach met him with a
telegram. The young man read the telegram 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
don't even plan to come back to the game on Saturday.
In the third
quarter, when the team was ten points behind, 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 teammate back so soon. "Coach, please let me play. I've
just go to play today," said the young man. The coach pretended not to
hear him. There was no way he wanted his worst player in this close.
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 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 for the winning
touchdown. The fans broke loose. His teammates hoisted him onto their
shoulders. Such cheering you've 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 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, but did you know that my dad was blind?" The young man 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!"
source:
http://members.tripod.com/l3lueskies/Pages/Stories.htm
