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A 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.
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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, 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 father
was always in the stands, always with words of encouragement for him.
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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 put his heart and soul into every practice and, at the same time, provided the other members
with the spirit and hustle they badly needed.
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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.
The young athlete never missed practice during his four years at college but he
never got to play in any of the games. It was the end of his senior
football season, and as he trotted onto the practice fields shortly before the big play off game,
the coach met him with a telegram.
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The young man read the telegram and became deathly 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 his shoulder and said, "Take the rest of the week off, son. And don't even plan to come to the game on Saturday.
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Saturday arrived, and the game was
not going well. In the third quarter, the teenager came and walked
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, and finally feeling sorry for the kid, the coach gave in.
"All right," he said. And everyone in the stands could not believe
their eyes.
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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, the 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.
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