The Des Moines Register today had an article highlighting a moment of great kindness and grace on the high school football field. The article describes the PCM junior-varsity football team giving up a shutout by allowing a special needs student on the opposing Albia team to score a touchdown. The PCM quarterback fumbled, allowing a sophomore safety on Albia to pick up the fumble and run for a touchdown, to the cheers of players and fans on both sides.
It was refreshing to see the teams consider the ways they could be a blessing to each other, as the Albia team gave a group cheer to honor their opponents from PCM, and the PCM team responded with a unison, "Thank you."
Both teams had played hard, to the best of their abilities, which allowed PCM to sacrifice a shutout to give joy and honor one student who might never have such an opportunity on the playing field. But even before that, the coach of Albia, Jerry Staton, made a choice that provided a blessing for the sophomore safety by giving him the opportunity to play. Coach Staton has done this before with other teams he has coached, providing the opportunity for everyone to play.
A football game served as the stage for gifts of grace and honor, reflecting the best of what high school sports can be.
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