 | ||||||
| ||||||
"He Could See Me Play"
This teenager lived alone with his father, and the two of them had a very
special relationship. At football matches even though the son was always
on the bench, and his father never missed a game, he was always in the
stands cheering. This young man was still 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 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 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 teammate 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 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!"
SO - REMEMBER.....
somebody is very proud of you.
somebody is thinking of you.
somebody is caring about you.
somebody misses you.
somebody wants to talk to you.
somebody wants to be with you.
somebody hopes you are not in trouble.
somebody is thankful for the support you have provided.
somebody wants to hold your hand.
somebody hopes everything turns out all right.
somebody wants you to be happy.
somebody wants you to find him/her.
somebody wants to give you a gift.
somebody wants to hug you.
somebody thinks you ARE a gift.
somebody admires your strength.
somebody wants to protect you.
somebody can't wait to see you.
somebody loves you for who you are.
somebody treasures your spirit.
somebody is glad that you are their friend.
somebody wants to get to know you better.
somebody wants to be near you.
somebody wants you to know they are there for you.
somebody would do anything for you.
somebody wants to share their dreams with you.
somebody is alive because of you.
somebody needs your support.
somebody will cry when they read this.
somebody needs you to have faith in them.
somebody trusts you.
somebody hears a song that reminds them of you.
SOMEBODY NEEDS YOU TO SEND THIS TO THEM
"My father used to play with my brother and me in the yard. Mother would come out and say, "You're tearing up the grass." "We're not raising grass," Dad would reply, "We're raising boys." -- Harmon Killebrew
First Instant Replay was used during Army Navy Football Game at Municipal Stadium Philadelphia on December 7, 1963, invented by Tony Verna (CBS Director.)
