Tommy was on the high school football team. He rarely played, but his father was faithful to show up for every game. There was one problem with Tommy's father: he was blind. Although his handicap stopped him from seeing the game, he would be there at all games, home and away. He would cheer when everyone else cheered and he would show disappointment when everyone else did. In Tommy's senior year, his football team made it to the finals. It was the game before the big one. Tommy went into the coach's office, "Coach, I beg of you. Please let me play. I am ready, I am fired up." The coach, seeing the intensity in Tommy's eyes said, "Sure, you can go out on the field for the opening kickoff." Tommy waited in the line and when the kickoff was done, he ran and tackled the other team member - he gained little yards. The coach was inspired, he decided to let Tommy stay in for the first play. Tommy was in full form. He tackled hard and played well; he stopped the first play with a loss of
three yards. The second play he ran a blitz, even though the coach hadn't called it. Again the other team had lost ten yards. The team was fired up and so was the coach. Tommy was allowed to stay in and play the rest of the game.
After an amazing victory the coach questioned him, "Tommy, what was with you today? I have never seen anybody play so well." Tommy replied, "Well my father passed away last week, and as you know he was faithful to show up to every game. This was the first game he was able to see."

- Barb Nelson