a gOod reaD..">

This teenager lived alone with his mother, and the two of them had
a very special relationship. Even though the son was always on the bench,
his mother was always in the stands cheering. She never missed a game.
This young man was still the smallest of the class when he entered high
school. But his mother 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 mother 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 mother. His mother 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 mother 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 play-off 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, 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 mom died, but did you know that my mom was blind?
The young man swallowed hard and forced a smile, "Mom came to
all my games, but today was the first time she could see me play, and
I wanted to show her I could do it!"
I hope this story inspires you.

cK saiD taT he uSed tiS storYlinE feR hiS coMpo.. thanX to me.. haHa..