A teenage boy lived alone with his
father, and the two of them had a
very special relationship. The father believed in encouragement.
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 the smallest of the class when he entered high
school. 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 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
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."
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 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. I've just got 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 playoff 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, 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 team-mates 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!"
Somebody is very proud of you.
Somebody is thinking of you.
Somebody is caring about you.
Someone loves the way
