Who knew giving up a touchdown could feel so good?
The Maryville freshman football team was set to wrap up a 46-0 victory against Benton Monday night. With about 10 seconds left in the game, Benton coach Dan McCamy called a timeout.
David McEnaney, the Spoofhounds freshmen defensive coach, expected a trick play from the Cardinals in an effort to get on the board.
He huddled his players up to tell them to be ready for anything.
What happened next McEnaney never could have predicted.
McEnaney looked up to see McCamy jogging toward Maryville's huddle.
He had a proposition for the Spoofhounds. One that would touch the heart of everyone at the game and thousands more fortunate enough to hear the story.
McCamy wanted to put one of his players Matt Ziesel in the game. There was a problem.
The 15-year-old Ziesel has Down syndrome and can't take a hard hit.
McCamy asked if the Spoofhounds weren't opposed to giving up the shutout if they'd let Ziesel carry the ball.
"I said 'Yeah, that's fine coach tell him to run all the way to the end zone," McEnaney said. "The (Maryville) kids got on board. They were real excited about it."
Following the timeout Ziesel took his spot to the left of the quarterback. The ball was snapped and Ziesel took the ball on a sweep to the right gaining speed as he went. As he raced down the right sideline, Spoofhounds defenders peeled off one after the other. (Watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ylwXOxKb7I)
Ziesel carried the ball for a 60-yard touchdown escorted into the end zone by his teammates who wrapped him in hugs following the score.
"He got the ball and ran all the way," McEnaney said. "It was a great play."
McEnaney said the Spoofhounds gave up their shutout but its a price that pales in comparison to what they got in return.
"It was a great opportunity for our kids to kind of realize that while yes winning is a big deal there's bigger life lessons out there," McEnaney said.
It's a lesson that is now being passed on to thousands more around the world. McCamy posted the video to YouTube the day after the game. Since then the clip has been viewed almost 200,000 times. Many hearing the story have a tough time keeping a dry eye.
The final score of the game was 46-6 in favor of the Spoofhounds, but it's easy to see on that unforgettable Monday night everybody won.
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Burlington Junction, Mo. —
