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. He never missed a game. This

young man was still the smallest of the class when he entered high school.

But 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 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 to 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 a 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

silent. Swallowing hard, he mumbled to the coach, "My father died this

morning. Is it all right if I miss practice today?" he 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.

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 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 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!"