Father's eyes (True story - London 1986)

He was a young a boy who loved football with all his heart. Practice after practice, he eagerly gave everything he had. Unfortunately he got absolutely nowhere. At all the games, this hopeful athlete sat on the bench and hardly ever played. His mother died at the age of six. He lived alone with his father, and they had a very special relationship with each other.

Even thought the son was always on the bench, his father was always in the stands cheering with his phrase "You could. One day you'll do it, son." He never missed a game or a practice. 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 this young boy really loved football and decided to continue this way. He was determined to do his best at every practice, and perhaps he hoped 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.

When the young man finished the high school and went to college, he decided to try out for the college football team. Everyone was sure he could never make the cut, but he did. The coach admitted that he kept him on the bench because he always puts his heart and soul to every practice, and at the same time, gave the other members with the spirit and hustle they badly needed.

As usual when he knew that his son will do that, faithful father shared his excitement and was sent season tickets for all the college games. This persistent young athlete never missed practice during his four years at college, but he never got to play in a game before the last season when something happened changed his life completely.

The team was doing very good in that season, playing, winning matches, finishing the season in the first place all over London universities. The team was getting ready to travel to Canada to participate in the International Universities Football Competition IUFC 1986, when the coach said him "You won't be able to travel with the team, we have many players better than you, Sorry"

He swallowed hard that he rushed to the nearest phone and called his father "Dad, I'm very sorry, seems I can't do it as you said" but this unbeatable father said him "No, you'll do it, believe me you'll."

Ten minutes passed as if they were 10 years when the coach came back to him and said "Luckily, you'll travel with the team as one of the players was injured and he won't be able to participate but don't plan to play in any match."

He traveled with team but decided that he'll forget his dreams and stop playing football after the competition. The team did well in this competition, round after round, they were successfully qualified to the final match against one of the best teams all over the world.

It was the end of his senior football season, two days before the final, and as he trotted onto the practice field shortly before the big playoff 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. And don't even plan to come back to the game on Saturday."

Saturday arrived, and the game was not going well. In the second half, when the team was three goals behind, a silent young man quietly slipped into the empty locker room and put on his football uniform. 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 the worst player in this close playoff game.

But the young man persisted, it was seven minutes before the end, and finally feeling sorry for the kid and losing hope that the team will do anything in those few minutes, the coach gave in. "All right," he said. "You can go in." Before long, the coach, the players, the fans of both teams and everyone in the stands 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 ran, he passed, blocked, he tackled and scored like a star.

His team began to triumph. The score was soon tied. In the closing seconds of the game, this kid intercepted a pass and ran all the way, five seconds, four, three, a very strong shoot from this unbelievable star for the winning touchdown. The fans broke loose. His teammates hoisted him onto their shoulders. Such cheering you never heard.

Finally, after the stands had emptied and the team had showered and left the locker room, the coach noticed that this young man was sitting quietly in the corner all alone. The coach came to him and said, "Kid, I can't believe it. You were fantastic, you were wonderful! 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 my dad was blind?" The young man swallowed hard and forced a smile, "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!"

The death of his father was the beginning of his new life, he became one of the best and the most famous football players all over the world. Father gave his son the encouragement to live his life happily.

"We should look forward to death more than we do. Of course everybody hates to miss anyone but dying is really the only chance to change others life."