By JAMES WALKER - Thursday quarterback
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’ coach Derek DeWitt shared a
conversation the week leading up to the game.
But the two 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 on time 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 that streak to end 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 five
seconds 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 explained. "(Initially) I said ‘Nah.’ Then 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 Zach 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 the 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 that Terrell Owens ever pulls out of his sock could write a scene more
touching than this.
