19 years ago, a high school basketball coach put his team manager into a game for the final four minutes. The kid had never played a single minute of competitive basketball in his life. He scored 20 points.
Jason McElwain was diagnosed with severe autism at age two. He didn’t speak until he was five. He couldn’t chew solid food until he was six. He wore a nappy for most of his early childhood. As a baby, he was rigid, wouldn’t make eye contact, and hid in corners away from other children.
He tried out for his school basketball team every year and got cut every time. Too small. Too slight. Barely 5’6 and about 54 kilograms. But he loved the game so much that his mum called the school and asked if there was any way he could be involved. The coach created a team manager role for him. For three years, McElwain showed up to every practice and every game. He wore a shirt and tie on match days. He ran drills, handed out water, kept stats, and cheered every basket like he’d scored it himself.
On 15 February 2006, the last home game of his final school year, the coach let him suit up in a proper jersey and sit on the bench. With four minutes left and a comfortable lead, the coach sent him in.
His first shot missed. His second missed. Then something shifted.
He hit a three-pointer. Then another. Then another. His teammates stopped shooting entirely and just kept passing him the ball. He hit six three-pointers and a two-pointer. 20 points in four minutes. The highest scorer in the game. When the final buzzer went, the entire crowd rushed the court and lifted him onto their shoulders.
His mum tapped the coach on the shoulder, in tears. “This is the nicest gift you could have ever given my son.”
McElwain won the ESPY Award for Best Moment in Sports that year, beating out some of the biggest names in professional sport. He’s 36 now. He works at a local supermarket, coaches basketball, has run 17 marathons including five Boston Marathons, and travels the country speaking about never giving up.
When asked about that night, his coach still gets emotional. “For him to come in and seize the moment like he did was certainly more than I ever expected. I was an emotional wreck.”
l am very excited to announce that I am FULLY COMMITTED to Hope College. Thanks be to God for this opportunity, it's a childhood dream come true. Thank you to my great coaches who have helped me to improve my play throughout the years. Last but not least, I could not be more grateful for my parents and their endless support along my journey. GO DUTCHMEN AGTG
@HopeCollegeFB@MIexposure@MichFBFrenzy@PStuursm@Coach_HThompson@GerritCake@TrevorRaby
Virginia Tech has hired VMI special teams coordinator Greg Wood as a special teams analyst, a source tells @CBSSports.
Developed five all-conference special teams selections in four years at VMI, including 3 All-Americans.
Super proud of my dude! He didn’t end up here on accident!
✅ Broke high school records
✅ Broke college records
✅ Team Captain in both HS & College
✅ All-Conf./All-State honors in both
… All in the toughest conference, top to bottom in the state, and one of the top D3 conferences in country.
List goes on and on.
Production, leadership and capacity are most often limited by mindset and not size.
Opposition is simply opportunity to honor God! Nothing more, nothing less!
Most everything we will value in this life, outside of salvation in Jesus is earned through hard work and selfless effort!
Looking forward to watching Ethan play football this year for @UNAFootball !
1 Corinthians 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
#TogetherTough
@calebhouser9 I didn’t realize you were a Buckeye fan.
That explains the original take 😂.
As long as you keep beating Michigan I’ll cheer for THE highest payed roster in the Big Ten.
@calebhouser9 I agree! Hartline was easily the best WR coach in the country. Ohio state is the superior brand in every way but cool jersey combos.
As for the education piece that was a quick google search.
@calebhouser9 They did win the Big Ten title last year.
Nothing may be a stretch.
I’m not sure how you can fully separate paying players not to leave and paying players like Jeremiah Smith to join.
I’m sure Smith didn’t go to Columbus for the 15th best education in the state of Ohio.
Elite Helmet Colors
White ⚪️
Yellow/Gold (not Vegas) 🟡
Crimson (IU) 🔴
Kelly Green 🟢
Royal 🔵
What’s not:
Silver
Teal Green
Navy
Black
Vegas Gold
Contenders - depends on face mask:
Purple 🟣
Orange 🟠
For the record:
Texas, Tulane, ODU, WYO and UNC will always have the best uniform colors.