Dad can see

Fathers have the tremendous ability to inspire their kids like no one can. Like this young boy in this story. This young boy loved football with all his heart. He gave his best in every practice, but because he was skinny and short, he was never good at it. In all the games, this athlete just sat on the bench. 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 and never missed a game. All through high school he never missed a practice or a game, but remained a bench warmer all four years. His faithful father was always with him, always with words of encouragement for him. When the young man went to college, he decided to try out for the football team. The coach admitted him because he noticed that he always puts his heart and soul into every practice, and at the same time, inspired the other members. This persistent young athlete never missed practice during his four years at college, but he never got to play in a game. One day during their practice before the big 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 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. You don’t have to come back for the game on Saturday." Saturday came, and the game was not going well. Their team was lagging behind. Then the young man came and asked if he could play. "Coach, please let me play. I've just got to play today," said the young man. The coach pretended not to hear him. The coach thought – ah! There’s no way I would let my worst player in this 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." During the game, the coach, the players and everyone 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 played like a star. Because of him, their team won. His team mates hoisted him onto their shoulders. Such cheering you never heard. Finally, after everyone had left, the coach came to the young man 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 he was blind?" "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!