Definition of CLASS

[diesel22]

Did you hear about the disabled kid (I believe he was from OH) who had his football dream come true? I don't remember what his disability was, but he loved football and was basically the manager for his HS team. They always let him suit up on Friday nights even though he could never play. Well, last game of his senior yr they were playing one of the best teams in the state and were losing like 56-0. The coach called time out with about 20 seconds left in the game. He walked across the field and told the opposing coach he wanted to put the disabled boy in. The opposing coach not only said to do it, but he said to give him the ball. The disabled boy's coach said he didn't want the boy to get hurt and the opposing coach said "not to worry". So, they put the boy in and handed the ball off to him. Immediately every boy on the other team took a knee. The boy didn't know what to do at first, but the QB pointed him toward the end zone and everyone started to shout "run!" It took him about 5 minutes but he finally made his way to the end zone and both sides were screaming for him. Later on they found out that the winning team had not given up a point in league play all yr until that game. The coach threw away the shutout in order to let the boy score a touchdown. That is class......:applause:

[Lloyds' Mongolian Beef]

I did see that. It was this past fall I believe. touching gesture. What impressed me the most were the kids, escpecially the opposition. Not only did they sacrifice the shutout, but they looked truly happy with what they had done. I love that they are doing more of these stories on ESPN, because so often its the ugly side of pro sports thats front and center. :logo:

[diesel22]

Exactly. And I also believe an * should be placed beside those 7 points in the OHSAA record books to explain that those kids on that defense willingly sacrificed those points for such an amazing gesture

[kevinklein]

Great story. Any idea where this took place?

[diesel22]

Great story. Any idea where this took place?

Not positive but I believe somewhere in Eastern OH (where believe me, HS football is KING) That is what makes this even more touching. I saw it a while back on ESPN and then today my friend brought it up so I thought I would share

[AustinTxRedskin]

Reminds me of the basketball kid in Rochester, which made me cry like a baby. Was there video of the play diesel?

[diesel22]

Reminds me of the basketball kid in Rochester. Was there video of the play diesel?

Of course they had the video on ESPN -- I am looking for it on the web right now.....

[WVUforREDSKINS]

My roomate is from that school in Rochester where that kid made all those shots at the end. Disney is making a movie about it.

Both stories are very touching.

[MikeSellers45]

That is probably the classiest thing I have ever heard.

[iheartskins]

Fantastic story and a good reminder of how sports can have a fundamentally positive effect on lives of people who might not be great athletes. Great to see these kinds of things.

Makes me a little weepy too. :) Thanks for sharing diesel.

[diesel22]

just went through 28 pages on I-Film's web site......nothing :(

Did find a link to an article though -- http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06067/666734.stm

[Ellis]

Try Youtube.com
TONS of videos on there. Might have this story too.

[Henry]

http://www.rob-robson.com/jake_porter/jake_porter.mpg

Wow ...

[diesel22]

http://www.rob-robson.com/jake_porter/jake_porter.mpg

Wow ...


Awesome. Thanks so very much !!

For those who have a hard time -- just save it right to your harddrive then it will open up quickly. Something everyone should see once they know the events leading up to the play.

:cheers:

[kevinklein]

Thanks for posting that Henry. That's more than touching.

[Switchgear]

A Sports Illustrated article:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/inside_game/rick_reilly/news/2002/11/12/life_of_reilly/

[Loxley]

Wow, that story gave me gooseflesh. That seriously is awesome.

[diesel22]

Thanks for helping me out on this one guys -- it was definately a story that needed to be shared

[BlueTiki21]

Wow, thats awesome

[Warhead36]

Classy guy and classy team. Props to them, and props to the other coach for putting the kid in the first place. Props to the kid too, for scoring. :)


See...when the media does stories like this I can stand them. They need to cover more of these and cover less FAVRE STILL UNDECIDED OF WHAT TO EAT FOR DINNER or LEBRON BUYS FIRST PORNO.

[boofMcboof]

dude, that kid needs to work on his 40 time. it was like 8.43 seconds!

:peaceout:

[diesel22]

Classy guy and classy team. Props to them, and props to the other coach for putting the kid in the first place. Props to the kid too, for scoring. :)


See...when ESPN does stories like this I can stand them. They need to cover more of these and cover less FAVRE STILL UNDECIDED OF WHAT TO EAT FOR DINNER or LEBRON BUYS FIRST PORNO.

Agreed -- that is why outside the lines is one of my fav espn shows.....but sometimes even it gets wrapped up in "how many people were protecting Barry Bonds from syringes today?"

[diesel22]

dude, that kid needs to work on his 40 time. it was like 8.43 seconds!

:peaceout:


My friend, you are headed straight to :evil: ......I might come visit sometime but you have no prayer of explaining that one at the pearly gates...:D

[ddub52]

i think theres something in my eye

[thesubmittedone]

Wow... great story.

Sports should always be about these type of things. Sadly, a lot of people would be turned off if the media focused more on this kinda stuff than the negative crap. That's what gets the ratings sadly... it's a reflection of the society we live in.

Thanks for sharing this.

[flexxskins]

diesel22,

Not only is this story classy, but you are a classy guy for sharing this story here with us all. You should be commended. :applause:

[diesel22]

diesel22,

Not only is this story classy, but you are a classy guy for sharing this story here with us all. You should be commended. :applause:

Well, I certainly appreciate the acknowledgement but I just provided the background -- others who got on this post with links and video really made it come to life.

Group hug :grouphug: everybody.....ok, that's enough....get off me !!

[flexxskins]

My wife just read this and is crying.

[LT Smash]

awesome, awesome story. some things are more important than getting a record

[bubba9497]

I would have leveled him!



:jk: nice story

[Ikaros]

great story, not something you see everyday.

[3DaysLatr]

That is just awesome, that play will always be there for that boy. That's true Sportsmanship.

[TheSource]

Thanks for the post. We all get caught up in trades, injuries, locker room issues and things like the draft....then a story like this comes along and puts it all in perspective. :applause:

[Park City Skins]

In a word. Whoa. Outstanding is another that comes to mind.

[Lloyds' Mongolian Beef]

I would have leveled him!



:jk: nice story
I have to admit, after reading through a whole bunch of supportive, sympathetic posts, this made me laught for a good thirty seconds. I still wish we heard more about stories like this.

[brandies]

We could use that disabled boy when there is 6 seconds left and we are down by six points

[Heavy Jumbo]

Great story. I think it would been awesome if the other team "tried" to tackle him, but couldn't.

Really cool nonetheless.

[diesel22]

Great story. I think it would been awesome if the other team "tried" to tackle him, but couldn't.

Really cool nonetheless.


that would have given it a nice effect -- only problem was that he might have got scared and ran out of bounds or even ran the wrong way. If you watch the film, the poor kid gets scared once he gets to the line of scrimmage and turns to run towards his own end zone... :)

[Matt [Redskins Fan]]

I love it. Thanks for hooking us up.

As a side note, I'm glad the kid didn't get laid out by some steroid-pumping jock. Talk about a downer.

[mdrun]

This reminds me of a similar story on ESPN, where a kid in a hospital with a terminal illness idolized Notre Dame football. Charlie Weis heard about it and came to visit him. The kids dream was to be able to call a play, Weis said that he would allow this kid's play to be the first offensive play in the next game (The kid wanted a passing play, which as a recall was pretty complicated for a dying 10 year old to come up with).

Well on their first offensive series ND was backed up on their own one yard line (obviously not a passing situation). While he could have shelved the play for another week, Weis was true to his word and ran the play. It was good for 8-11 yards (i forget the exact number). Several days later, the boy died, with his dream fufilled.

Stories like one that started this thread are great and I'm glad that young kids are learning good sportsmanship, but I think its even greater when people at the top of the profession exhibit the same sportsmanship. After that story, I will never root against a Charlie Weis coached team again (Unless they play the skins)

[Die Hard]

I guess I'll play devil's advocate here. I don't think that was a classy move at all. My opinion has NOTHING to do with any kind of records, shutouts, or anything like that.

It's about respect for the sport of football and sportsmanship. If that father/coach wanted to put his son in the game... fine. Put him at receiver... throw him a pass. Put him on the line and have him try to block someone - run to the opposite side if you have to. Or put him on defense.

But put him in at runningback... after you've told the opposing coach you're concerned about your son getting hurt? That's nonsense. If you were concerned, don't put him in at runningback! Unless you knew he could handle the responsibility.

And I've witness that autistic child (on Oprah) who hit 6 3-pointers in the last 4 minutes of the game. That was a special moment that warranted tears. And no wonder the crowd went wild... that will probably be the best memory of his life... because he earned it.

But this kid? I don't know what kind of satisfaction he can get out of it when he was handed a touchdown because his competitors didn't even TRY! Personally, I think he would've got more out of the experience running for 2 yards - 2 yards that he EARNED - and taking a hit (which is part of the experience itself) - then getting a play for the sake of getting a play. I can't imagine that being very rewarding for the kid.... although I'm sure he was appreciative.

Now, if it was a goal line play.... he gets a touchdown in my book. That would be a great play.

But letting the kid run 60 yards.... without earning it.... I don't see that being a class move. I think it demeans the sport... and demeans your competitor (which in this case, is this kid).

I mean, the kid was completely confused because he know what the heck was going on; everyone taking a knee?!?. Is that right? Is that fair?

I don't like that move. It's not football.

[boofMcboof]

I guess I'll play devil's advocate here. I don't think that was a classy move at all. My opinion has NOTHING to do with any kind of records, shutouts, or anything like that.

It's about respect for the sport of football and sportsmanship. If that father/coach wanted to put his son in the game... fine. Put him at receiver... throw him a pass. Put him on the line and have him try to block someone - run to the opposite side if you have to. Or put him on defense.

But put him in at runningback... after you've told the opposing coach you're concerned about your son getting hurt? That's nonsense. If you were concerned, don't put him in at runningback! Unless you knew he could handle the responsibility.

And I've witness that autistic child (on Oprah) who hit 6 3-pointers in the last 4 minutes of the game. That was a special moment that warranted tears. And no wonder the crowd went wild... that will probably be the best memory of his life... because he earned it.

But this kid? I don't know what kind of satisfaction he can get out of it when he was handed a touchdown because his competitors didn't even TRY! Personally, I think he would've got more out of the experience running for 2 yards - 2 yards that he EARNED - and taking a hit (which is part of the experience itself) - then getting a play for the sake of getting a play. I can't imagine that being very rewarding for the kid.... although I'm sure he was appreciative.

Now, if it was a goal line play.... he gets a touchdown in my book. That would be a great play.

But letting the kid run 60 yards.... without earning it.... I don't see that being a class move. I think it demeans the sport... and demeans your competitor (which in this case, is this kid).

I mean, the kid was completely confused because he know what the heck was going on; everyone taking a knee?!?. Is that right? Is that fair?

I don't like that move. It's not football.


I can't tell if you're being serious or not. Not with that Cobert guy at the bottom of what you just wrote.

[Henry]

I know what you are saying Tony, but I disagree. It was simply a nice gesture. If you read the article the kid didn't even realize the other team wasn't trying. He thought he won the game. This is not some kid that could EVER take the field under any normal circumstances. Both teams simply chose to give him a moment for his love of the game.

Give the guy his moment. Even at some miniscule expense of the game's intergrity for one play. The fate of the world doesn't hinge on it.

[ironmic]

Did you hear about the disabled kid (I believe he was from OH) who had his football dream come true? I don't remember what his disability was, but he loved football and was basically the manager for his HS team. They always let him suit up on Friday nights even though he could never play. Well, last game of his senior yr they were playing one of the best teams in the state and were losing like 56-0. The coach called time out with about 20 seconds left in the game. He walked across the field and told the opposing coach he wanted to put the disabled boy in. The opposing coach not only said to do it, but he said to give him the ball. The disabled boy's coach said he didn't want the boy to get hurt and the opposing coach said "not to worry". So, they put the boy in and handed the ball off to him. Immediately every boy on the other team took a knee. The boy didn't know what to do at first, but the QB pointed him toward the end zone and everyone started to shout "run!" It took him about 5 minutes but he finally made his way to the end zone and both sides were screaming for him. Later on they found out that the winning team had not given up a point in league play all yr until that game. The coach threw away the shutout in order to let the boy score a touchdown. That is class......:applause:
thats how we do in ohio

[bubba9497]

I know what you are saying Tony, but I disagree. It was simply a nice gesture. If you read the article the kid didn't even realize the other team wasn't trying. He thought he won the game. This is not some kid that could EVER take the field under any normal circumstances. Both teams simply chose to give him a moment for his love of the game.

Give the guy his moment. Even at some miniscule expense of the game's intergrity for one play. The fate of the world doesn't hinge on it.


I see where DH is coming from.

wasn't it kind of patronizing? Sort of saying he was less of a person, that he had to be given a TD, because he was handicapped?

[canethang 305]

This is what sports is all about, these moments are defining in these children's life, some may disagree with how it happenned but think about if it was your child I bet your opinion quickly changes.

It's amazing how some coaches and player's can make a sacrifice for others especially in light of the High School coach in California who moved the yardsticks to get a first down for his team.

[Henry]

I see where DH is coming from.

wasn't it kind of patronizing? Sort of saying he was less of a person, that he had to be given a TD, because he was handicapped?

I think this goes back to the Strahan/Favre sack record thing. I don't see the need to put an asterisk next to it. To me, if a player's attitude and respect for the game is so great that the opposing team gives him a gift, he deserves it. That counts for something too.

Rudy's a great story, but by all rights he shouldn't have even been on the field. I mean, if we are going to extend this arguement. That autistic kid didn't deserve the chance to drain those 3-pointers. He didn't make the team, after all. That's ALL charity. I can see the arguement that it's disrespectful to the player. I just don't agree.

[CarrollsMine99]

Did you hear about the disabled kid (I believe he was from OH) who had his football dream come true? I don't remember what his disability was, but he loved football and was basically the manager for his HS team. They always let him suit up on Friday nights even though he could never play. Well, last game of his senior yr they were playing one of the best teams in the state and were losing like 56-0. The coach called time out with about 20 seconds left in the game. He walked across the field and told the opposing coach he wanted to put the disabled boy in. The opposing coach not only said to do it, but he said to give him the ball. The disabled boy's coach said he didn't want the boy to get hurt and the opposing coach said "not to worry". So, they put the boy in and handed the ball off to him. Immediately every boy on the other team took a knee. The boy didn't know what to do at first, but the QB pointed him toward the end zone and everyone started to shout "run!" It took him about 5 minutes but he finally made his way to the end zone and both sides were screaming for him. Later on they found out that the winning team had not given up a point in league play all yr until that game. The coach threw away the shutout in order to let the boy score a touchdown. That is class......:applause:

That is AWESOME and wonderful! I have goosebumps! :D

CarrollsMine99.

[wpenn1]

I see where DH is coming from.

wasn't it kind of patronizing? Sort of saying he was less of a person, that he had to be given a TD, because he was handicapped?

No they made this kids life. This kid doens't look at things like that. All he remembers is that he scored a touchdown in his lifetime. It was touching and a cool thing to do. Furthermore he earned the oppurtunity with his dedication and hard work for the team.

[philal0102]

beautiful story