Playing for Dad

The son loved football but was not very good at it. But the dad didn't mind. Even though the son was always sitting out games on the bench, his father was always in the stands cheering. He never missed a game.

The young man was determined to try his best at every practice - perhaps he'd get to play when he became a senior. All through secondary school he never missed a practice or a game even though he remained a bench warmer for 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. Everyone was sure he would never make the cut, but he did. The coach admitted that he let the young man on the team because, as a junior, he always put his heart and soul into every practice while providing his team members with the spirit and hustle they needed.

The news that he had survived the cut thrilled the teen so much that he rushed to the nearest phone and called his father. His father shared his excitement and got 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.

Then, at the end of his senior football season, he trotted on to the practice field shortly before the big play off game only to be met by the coach with a telegram. The young man read the telegram and he became deathly white.

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 shoulders 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 10 points behind, a silent young man quietly slipped into the empty locker room and put on his football gear. As he ran to 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 championship 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 fan 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?"

The young man looked at the coach with tears in his eyes and said, "Well, you knew my dad died, but did you knew 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!"

Sent to Starmag by Wong Lee Teng