A guy named Jonathan
The school that I play for has the awesome priviledge to have a guy named Jonathan. He is 22 years old and loves the game of football. He eats breakfast with the team, travels on the bus with the team, and even where's a jersey. Jonathan...has down syndrome. He is the ultimate mascot. He stretches with the team, prays with the team, basically does everything with the team. When we get our wrists taped, he gets his wrists taped. When we put on our helmets, he finds a spare helmet and puts it on. When we come off the field and get the sweat wiped off our faces, he wants his head wiped off too. It just wouldn't be a football game without Jonathan there. Whenever somebody gets hurt he quiets down the crowd and when the athlete gets up he lets out a huge "Yahhhhh!" Yep, that's Jonathan.You see, Jonathan has watched his brothers play football for years, and he's always been there. But he never got to play....until yesterday. There was 24 seconds left on the clock when the coaches called a time out. The "Evens"(explained below) had the ball. Coach Jones put a helmet on Jonathan and he ran out onto the field. Twenty yards to the end zone....and they were going to give Jonathan a simple hand off so he can get his touchdown. The teams lined up, the ball was snapped and Jonathan got the ball and he was off. He saw some defenders coming towards him and was about to throw the ball until everybody was telling to just run. He had blockers downfield, the biggest hole any runningback would die for. "Odds" players were diving after him, but he just ran. He ran and ran until he crossed that line. Both teams ran onto the field and lifted him up on their shoulders. Yes, after all these years of watching and being there, Jonathan got his touchdown. He even got the game ball which all the players signed. I will never forget him and pray that you also will never forget...a guy named Jonathan.
posted by Andrew @ 1:15 PM
Comments: 1
