Let's have a nice,positive,happy story, shall we???
In an age when arrogance and Sharpie pens steal the national spotlight, it is often the smallest, most unnoticed acts of kindness that remind us that football is merely a game.
The story, which is destined to become legendary in southern Ohio circles, starts in Waverly.
Northwest football coach Dave Frantz and Tigers football coach Derek DeWitt shared a conversation the week leading up to the game.
But the 2 coaches weren't discussing strategy, instead they were talking about a mentally handicapped Northwest player by the name of Jake Porter.
Porter, a senior, has a disorder called "Chromosomal Fragile X", which is the most common cause of inherited mental retardation. Porter still shows up for practice every day and dresses in full gear during games, but he has yet to take an official snap in a football game.
Frantz wanted to end that streak last Friday.
"I told them(Waverly) ahead of time that he can't take a hit or anything,"Frantz said. "If the game's not at stake on the last play, I wanted him to come in and take a knee."
Yet a week after their conversation, with Waverly leading 42-0 with 5 seconds left remaining, coach DeWitt offered Frantz one better.
"During the timeout, he met me in the middle of the field and said'We'll let him score'" Frantz said. "Initially, I said no. The we talked about it with the referees, and they said 'Hey coach, we understand.'"
What soon followed will forever go down in Southern Ohio football lore.
At Waverly's 49 yard line, Porter entered the game at tailback, had his play, "84-iso" called in the huddle, and when the ball was snapped all 21 players parted ways.
Porter was somewhat surprised when he slowly walked through the huge hole. He initially turned back around to the original line of scrimmage, but everyone on the field-including defensive players from Waverly- pointed and guided Porter toward the Tigers' end zone.
"When we practiced it, he was supposed to down it, so I think he was a little confused at first," Northwest tailback Zack Smith said. "But once he figured it out, he took off."
The 49 yard trek to glory took about 10-12 seconds in all, and was culminated by players from both sidelines cheering and running step-for-step with Porter to the end zone.
Tears flowed from the bleachers well into the night, and the life of one young man was changed forever.
"At Waverly, we didn't do anything special. We were just happy to be a part of that'" a humbled DeWitt said. "That young man was just excited to get the ball. Our guys didn't care about a shutout...those stats went out the window. When you're involved in a moment like that, you want to make sure you end the game with class, decency, and respect."
Those who play football on the highest levels should take notice.
No pen Terrell Owens ever pulls out of his sock could write a scene more touching than this.
