The Father's Eyes

This teenager lived alone with his father, and the two of them had a very special relationship. Even though the son was always on the bench, his father was always in the stands cheering. His father never missed a game. This young man was the smallest in his 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. 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. Everyone was sure he could never make the cut, but he did. The coach admitted that he kept the young man 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 enthusiasm and spirit they badly needed.

His father was sent season tickets for all the college games. This persistent young man never missed practice during his four years at college, but he never got to play in a game.

It was the end of his senior football season, and as he trotted onto the practice field, the coach met him with a telegram. The young man read the telegram and became 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 the young man’s shoulder and said, “Take the rest of the week off, son. You don’t have to come for 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.

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, this kid intercepted a pass and ran all the way for the winning touchdown. The fans broke loose. His classmates 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 the young man 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!”

I must confess that I got a bit teary-eyed when I read the above short story.

I pray that parents will stand by their children, cheering them on and inspiring them to do their best. And I pray that children will appreciate all the sacrifices their parents have made to give them the best in life. Amen.