Normally, this would seem like one of the most heart-warming stories of the year; to most people, it still is. Last week, St. Joseph Benton’s freshman team scored a late touchdown to avoid a 46-0 shutout. The ball-carrier, Matt Ziesel, is just 5′3″ and 115 pounds… and has Down Syndrome.
As you’ve probably already surmised, the play was set up specifically for Matt, and opposing Maryville only provided enough defense to make it seem real for Ziesel; they “chased” him, but they weren’t going to hit him. Like rush defense in the Big XII, basically. Ziesel scored with a convoy of teammates cheering him on - video is after the break - and everybody was happy, right? Erm, no. Because this is the Internet, and people on the Internet are horrible.
First, from the story by the KANSAS CITY STAR:
With about 10 seconds left in the game, and Benton trailing 46-0, [head coach Dan] McCamy called his final timeout, told an assistant coach to organize the team for the “Matt play” and ran across the field to the Maryville defensive huddle — and to some puzzled looks from the opposing players.
“I’ve got a special situation,” McCamy remembers telling Maryville freshman defensive coach David McEnaney. “I know you guys want to get a shutout. Most teams would want a shutout, but in this situation I want to know if maybe you can let one of my guys run in for a touchdown.”
As you can see from the video above, that’s exactly what happened, and the Maryville freshmen should be commended for playing along so graciously.
But some commenters are outraged - no, seriously, they are - apparently because Maryville’s players didn’t gang-tackle a 15-year-old boy with Down Syndrome. Said one commenter at YouTube:
I don’t understand. Why is this a big deal? The other team didn’t even try to tackle him so how is this helping him? Its only giving him a false sense of hope and thats going to hurt him in the long run.
The Green defense needs to be thrown off the field for not teaching them a lesson.
And another:
doesn’t count, they didn’t even try to tackle him. If he was truly special he’d be better than everyone else without unnecessary handicapping.
The KC Star had similarly negative comments, though with a touch more thoughtfulness and less s**theel:
I just can’t shake this nagging feeling that 21 people just played a prank on this kid…making him think he accomplished something that, in all honesty, he didn’t.
As with those on YouTube, though, they comprised a minority of the comments.
Thus, what would have normally been a uniformly celebratory comment section becomes split about 40-20-40 with positive comments, negative, and “WHAT IN THE BLOOD RED HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT.”
But let’s explore this, because this is what they call a “teaching moment.” After all, if people only get yelled at for expressing stupid thoughts, they aren’t going to learn anything but resentment.
“The team didn’t try hard and let the other team score a touchdown.”
Nobody can honestly argue - without severely underestimating the intelligence of Maryville’s athletes - that the team took “do not try hard at sports” away from that moment. If they learned anything, it’s that there is an intrinsic reward to doing good acts for the less fortunate members of the community, which is what this was. It was a game of freshman football that probably stopped being competitive before halftime. Not even varsity, man, freshman. That it might end at 46-6 instead of 46-0 has zero bearing on the world at large. That they did something right matters plenty more.
“They tricked the kid.”
News flash: this is what loving parents do all. the. time. When a four-year-old brings home a hopelessly messy drawing of a house that’s purple and appears to be on fire, a parent doesn’t criticize the child. And while Zeisel isn’t the coach’s son, the coach is probably a father himself, one who’s got healthy paternal instincts. Further, though we don’t personally know Zeisel and his condition, we are acutely and personally aware that many Down children have congenital heart problems from birth, and that getting tackled - even in a padded situation like this - is completely out of the question. Thus, the only way Zeisel is getting on the field is if he isn’t hit. If that one condition is enough to conclude that Zeisel must never get to set foot on a football field like this, then you’ve probably got some issues with life priorities.
If you mislead the kid, it’s bad long-term.
No. Again, this is part of raising a child - bolstering their self-esteem, especially when they’re different from most of their peers. Further, this was as much for the Zeisel family as Matt himself. After the stress of raising a child with Down Syndrome, even one fleeting moment of normality like this is a refreshing moment above water. To rain on that parade is to reveal yourself as somebody with tragically misplaced priorities and morality - and in some ways, that’s worse than having Down Syndrome. At least you’ve got a choice.
2:59 pm on September 18th, 2009
commenters like that really make me hate the internet some days. It was much easier to avoid the a-holes without it.
3:00 pm on September 18th, 2009
If that poor kid would’ve scored a legit touchdown those same people would be b****ing that he could’ve been injured and should have never been on the field. HE’S A KID! IT’S A GAME!
3:01 pm on September 18th, 2009
Didn’t this story happen last year? Adam are you recycling stories and mailing it in on a Friday?
3:04 pm on September 18th, 2009
Wow, this was actually some decent writing. Adam, who wrote this for you? You been copyin’ off the smart kids again?
3:11 pm on September 18th, 2009
This is not a normal situation where every kid, regardless of winning or losing, gets a trophy or is heralded as a winner. This is about players, coaches and fans understanding that this boy is special and allowing him a brief moment he and his family will never forget.
If things like this are wrong, then I need to give up on humanity.
3:14 pm on September 18th, 2009
Johnnie, you might want to take a look at the linked stories. Just happened last weekend. Thanks for reading SbB! All of our readers are important to us.
3:39 pm on September 18th, 2009
Extremely well written man. Too bad so many think so little.
3:47 pm on September 18th, 2009
Kudos to the other team for playing along. And to Ziesel’s coach for coming up with that play.
While America gets fatter and dumber, it’s nice to see that a few people left with a sense of honor and decency.
Civilized nations are not monsters, and as such, they should act accordingly. Great story.
3:50 pm on September 18th, 2009
One can only image how difficult this kids life must be, so what’s the harm in letting him have a moment of glory? It’s not hurting anyone. What is wrong with this country?
Those Make-A-Wish people, what morons, spending money on kids who are just gonna die in a week anyway, right?
3:52 pm on September 18th, 2009
I have coach midget level (11-12 yo) football and one of my kids is special needs. (he doesn’t play football)
As far as I’m concerned both coaches and all the players need one big a$$ award for showing some serious sportsmanship and decent human compasion.
This isn’t going to scar the boy by making him think he can do something he isn’t capable of, it WILL hopefully give him some confidence to believe in himself and do some things that he might otherwise have thought “I can’t” and not even have tried.
3:56 pm on September 18th, 2009
These same people who complain about this TD also think that Jason McElwain should have never been allowed to play in that basketball game.
4:46 pm on September 18th, 2009
People with special needs, whether its down syndrome or not, see the world in a much different way then how most other people see it. Matt is one of the most caring and considerate individual I’ve ever met. And while the play might not have been real, Matt doesn’t see it any other way. People make touchdowns all the time and after awhile its just something they expect out of themselves. For Matt, getting his touchdown isn’t about people lying and giving him false hopes. Its about giving him the confidence and the will power to do anything he wants. Everyone when they are younger are told that they can do whatever they want as long as they set their mind to it. Children with special needs can set their mind to something but its so much harder for them to achieve their dreams because of all the jerks in the world who always make fun of them and bring them down. It makes it harder for them to be confident with the world that we have today. You’ll never truly understand how simple things in life that we take for grated everyday, mean so much to people with special needs until you work with them and give them the chance to prove that its the simple things in life that are what truly matter. I believe what Benton and Maryville did was amazing. We need more people like this who actually care in the world!
4:58 pm on September 18th, 2009
Very well written Adam. A wonderful story. Imagine how much happier a place the world would be without all of the self serving killjoys putting in their hateful and trite two cents. WAY TO GO MATT!!, I never was able to score a TD in high school!!
6:01 pm on September 18th, 2009
this is a rare situation and should not be confused with certain leagues that do not keep score and ALL the children get trophies…which could be a viewed as a form of abuse since it spoils children and develops a sense of entitlement in them.
it is extremely important for children to learn what it feels like to lose. after-all, kids will fail tests, not get accepted to certain colleges. they will become adults who will not get jobs they applied for, fired, experience lay-offs, etc. failure is a natural part of life and kids need to learn this at a young age. this is why sports is so valuable. yes, it is a game, however, through sports, kids learn that they can not have everything they want. they will lose. they will strikeout. they will get cut from the team. preparing for failure is just as important as building a child’s confidence.
but again, this is a rare situation. as long as they don’t do this every game, then the kids learn compassion and understanding for others who are disabled.
10:33 pm on September 18th, 2009
I think it’s awesome, obviously none of those assholes looked at the picture of him with that big grin on his face. Kudos to both teams, awesome job.
11:17 pm on September 18th, 2009
Much credit to David McEnaney and the Maryville players for buying in on this. I’ll wager that years from now, when they are old men remembering their “glory days,” this will be one of their proudest memories.
12:05 am on September 19th, 2009
Why not use him in a regular play? Or even a whole series. What’s the worst that can happen? He seems to know what to do.
12:56 am on September 19th, 2009
The internet is filled with guys who are a waste of oxygen and lots pictures of hot women. I ignore the first and lear at the rest.
The teams and coaches did a fantastic job of making one kid’s dream come true. I usually despise that every one gets a trophy mentality but there are times and places for it and this was one of them.
3:55 am on September 19th, 2009
What a great video. These kids, and the coaches, parents and fans did the right thing. They cheered the kid on in a 46 to NOTHING game.
Everyone that cheered that play at that game is to be commended. That was true sportsmanship, pure and simple. All “pro” sports could learn a lesson from that story and video. That kid isn’t going to make millions, but he feels like it right now. Isn’t that what we are trying to teach our kids?
4:46 pm on September 19th, 2009
Pro Sports could definitely learn a lesson, Seahawks should have let the Rams put in a 30 year old dude with a disability and Seattle should have let him score a free TD so the Rams would feel good about themselves instead of getting dominated and shutout 28-0…….f***ing idiot
8:18 pm on September 19th, 2009
“people on the Internet are horrible” HEY! Listen Mr. Insulty Pants. I’m not going to allow you to shame me into agreeing with you like you’ve done to so many other commenters. I agree… the football players got to feel good that day. The downs syndrome kid got to feel outstanding! Pardon us that think past that day. Did he know they didn’t try to take him out? Of course not. He thinks he actually played and made a touchdown. NOW! YOU explain to him the rest of his life why they won’t let him play AGAIN! In his mind he did excellent and everybody will be against him the rest of his life. A shallow thinking process is “horrible”. The road to hell is paved with good intentions.
12:54 am on September 21st, 2009
Wow the brainless, heartless, childless commenters reared their ignorant heads here as well. Go figure.
8:10 am on September 21st, 2009
I know I’m a little late on this one, but since I rail on you for most of your articles I thought I would actually commend you on this one. Great job!
12:15 pm on September 21st, 2009
I commend the coaches for setting an example. Next time and there will probably be a next time the students will do this on there on. Believe me I have seen it in other sports.
7:16 pm on September 21st, 2009
Good story!! I am not so sure they would’ve caught him once he got to the outside….nevermind!! Those kids in green need to be commended, some one said when they are all sitting around the bar thinkin’ bout them glory days, I hope they all take this as their fondest memory. Looks like number 22 at the end of the video is going over to give him a pat on the ass. Good for all of them remembering why they are playing the game.
7:27 pm on September 21st, 2009
Pete, are you freaking kidding me? I don’t know the kid, but I know kids like him and I know that they have a ton of challenges ahead of them that are a hell of a lot tougher then “not getting a touchdown next week”. Take another look at the kids smiling face and tell me that it was not worth it? I got to ride in a NASCAR a few years ago, and it was the thrill of a lifetime…should I curse all involved because I will never get to do it again? I don’t think so. Nor will he curse anybody that was involved-look at that smile, he will never forget the rush…even if he does realize that it was staged, judging by that grin, he will never the kindness that was involved in the gesture. Nobody involved in that day is going to hell…that was a class act, and a teaching/learning opportunity for the parents, coaches and kids and I am glad that it was captured so we can all reflect on we actually put our kids in these organized sports.
7:39 pm on September 21st, 2009
Atten : Pete What are you some kind of moron, what is wrong with giving this child his 15 seconds of fame. I think what both teams did was FANTASTIC .
7:40 pm on September 21st, 2009
Get a life….so much going on in the world…it’s called being human…great story…get outside the BOX…..
7:50 pm on September 21st, 2009
This wonderful story brought tears to my eyes - there truly are some kind and generous people out there. Just when one might think North American society is going to hell in a handbasket, allow comes a group of gives to restore our faith in humanity. Way to go guys!
7:55 pm on September 21st, 2009
Great heartwarming story… Its sad to see so many who hide behind a monitor and pick out the negatives about everything are so miserable. Instead of this story putting a smile on their face, they point out how it is wrong, chew it to bits, like anyone cares WTF you think. You don’t matter, you are a troll behind a monitor , I feel sorry for you.
Great show by the two teams
Peace
8:15 pm on September 21st, 2009
My story - when I was 12, I played hockey for a playground team up here in Canada. We were losing the final game of the year by some horrendous score and two of us, Bruce Farrel and I, hadn’t played a single game the entire year. I asked the coach to put me in - he said no, we ‘might still have a chance’. Well, short of having Wayne Gretzky born fifteen years earlier and in my neighbourhood, we didn’t have a hope in hades of winning. And we didn’t.
I went home in tears, crushed that I didn’t get to play a single minute of that winter, despite attending all the practices. I’ve never played hockey since, and that was over forty years ago.
Kudos to those two coaches. Fine men, men from whom my former hockey coach could have learned valuable lessons. I still curse that man.
8:20 pm on September 21st, 2009
I found these comments to be absolutely shocking! What happened to the lesson taught that it doesn’t matter if you win or lose, but if you have fun? What happened to ‘treat others with respect?” What happened to ‘do unto others as you would have done to you?” I just don’t get it…….The team was obviously going to lose….what is the harm in making a child feel wonderful about winning a play, and that people ARE great enough to want to do good things for others. I mean, seriously? What harm was done? I, for one, am so touched by the thoughtfulness of the coach, AS WELL AS the coach and players of the other team, to do such an amazing thing for another person. To me, it is always about trying to have everyone be happy for themselves and others….and what better way to teach this than to do something as selfless as this, and make a remarkable memory to a child who might never get this opportunity again! I have such respect for both teams and coaches! You are bigger and better persons than the countless others who are criticizing! Congratulations to all of you! You have won the ‘Amazing People’ award!
8:34 pm on September 21st, 2009
Wonderful, just wonderful. That the other team was gracious enough to let St. Joseph run this play for Matt says a lot about their character and class. Winning isn’t everything, guys, and you proved it. This is one for the ages, something to give even an old cynic like me the gift of a few grateful tears…
8:57 pm on September 21st, 2009
When I watched the video and heard the story - I cried. What a Beautiful thing these teams did for one of their team mates. This is the True Spirit of “Good Sportsmanship”.
I feel sorry for anyone who doesn’t ‘get it’.. Seriously .. anyone who would hold this as a negative or who just can’t see the goodness in this or celebrate along with the rest of us the Love expressed in this one move .. we need to pity them.
I see no point in bashing bullies .. they are truelly the ones in need of our love and pity. Otherwise .. I will give them No attention.
Kudos to the coaches and especially to the teams .. the guys .. the Men who had the heart to do something so nice for another human being.
Nice.
10:53 pm on September 21st, 2009
Pete, your logic is flawed. The kid won’t go through the logic of why they’re not playing me despite my great touch down and end up feeling worse- offcourse not; this logic is beyond him. Let him enjoy a moment of glory that will help his confidence and help us all feel better in this world!
11:45 pm on September 21st, 2009
what a beautiful story, everyone was a winner
12:01 am on September 22nd, 2009
Probably the boy knew that the other team let him get the TD but he was caught up in the moment. I think it was somewhat patronizing.
1:49 am on September 22nd, 2009
Wow, I wish my coach would do the same thing for me because I’m fat and cannot run fast enough, if he could ask the other team coach… I could score my first TD, be happy about it…
Come on, this is a nice story for the family and friends but that ends there, check for all those handicap athletes at the olympics, those are feel good stories, the work their butt off and they have results not fake one’s…
2:24 am on September 22nd, 2009
There’s so much hate,war, competition in this world. Can’t understand why some people feel they’ve the right to rain on someone’s parade. A sense of accomplishment does wonders for anyones self worth/esteem. The need to squash someone is beyond my comprehension. And if he knew the teams did it for him? So what? Life is full of hard knocks for everyone. Ever heard of random acts of kindness? Pay it forward? I think some people enjoy “pouncing” on anyones weakness. In my opinion, they’ve no good self worth/esteem and they only feel good about themselves when the trash others and their sucess/accomplishments. It’s so very sick. Cherish these kinds of stories as, we’ve so very few of them.
12:53 pm on September 22nd, 2009
Hey John - you’re fat because you’re a lazy POS who can’t stop cramming hot pockets down your gullet…slight difference.
12:49 am on September 26th, 2009
Listen. There are kids reading these comments. The kids directly involved in this video. I am a parent from Maryville. This brought tears to my eyes for two reasons…we take our football VERY seriously here. AND because 90% of Down’s kids are aborted, with doctors leading the way. This kid broght JOY and serious football to US in Maryville. You should be so blessed. This IS what it’s all about. Too bad you haven’t stopped long enough to THAT soak in…..really SOAK IN> Go Hounds!!! We love you.
1:25 am on October 31st, 2009
i jsut got to say, that everyone involved with, and now supporting them, should all get an award. theres a kid on my football team who is dyslexic, had adhd, and had a mild form of downs syndromme, and the whole team just rags on him. even being the 5 year veteran and only good linemen doesnt sway the rest of the team to give him a chance. even the head coach wont let him see the field, and he plays corner! great story, and for the first time while reading i actually shed some tears. bravo!
7:37 pm on November 3rd, 2009
I wonder if the persons making these horrible comments would be so callous face to face.