Greetings!
Here’s a different version of DHD this week. If you have spent any time on social media this week, you have seen the special moment that happened during a Little League baseball game. This moment led me to do a special DHD of six heartwarming, good sportsmanship experiences involving athletics.
Here we go!
- There’s hugging in baseball
It’s been shared a multitude of times and has been discussed on many sports talk shows. Yes, I was moved when I saw this young batter respond after getting hit by a pitch in the helmet. The plate appearance was startling as it looked like the batter was seriously hurt, but he quickly recovered. Then, noticing the pitcher was shook up, he walks to the mound to console his opponent.
Yes, this will be remembered for a long time.
- Finish the race
In the 1992 Summer Olympics, a runner pulled his hamstring during a 400m race. Derek Redmond, representing England, suffered the injury near midway, but the unexpected happened, as his father comes out of the stands to help him finish the race. It’s a powerful moment to watch.
- Adams catches Plumlee instead of scoring
Former Thunder center Steven Adams will go down as one of the most likeable players ever to play in OKC. Known for being one of the strongest players in the NBA, Adams has also shown to be a good sport. In a game against Denver, Adams got the ball low in the post and was in a prime situation to dunk. However, Mason Plumlee leaped to defend Adams and got himself in a dangerously vulnerable position. If Adams went ahead with a move to the basket, Plumlee could have been severely injured. Instead, Adams kept Plumlee from falling.
- Zach Rudolph offers his shirt
I confess, I’m was not a Zach Rudolph fan. During his prime years with the Memphis Grizzlies, he developed quite a reputation of being a dirty player. However, I give him some brownie points after watching him give his warmup shirt to a special fan.
- J.J. Watt greets 99-year-old fan
When J.J. Watt was playing for the Houston Texans, the No. 99 defensive lineman was a big hero deep down in Texas, even for a sweet lady who had celebrated her 99th birthday.
The following video is rather long, but scroll to the 2:15 mark and see when Watt greets the fan. It’s a special moment, watching the lady stand up from her wheelchair to give J.J. a big hug.
- Mo saves a National Anthem singer
This is one of my all-time favorite heartwarming moments involving sports. Mo Cheeks, former Thunder assistant coach, was once the head coach for the Portland Trailblazers. Before a playoff game, during the pre-game ceremony, a young lady was about to sing the national anthem. However, stage fright apparently took over, as she forgot the words to the Star Spangled Banner.
Cheeks is not a good singer, but he does know the words to the National Anthem, or at least good enough to help the young lady out. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched this video, and even now, I can’t watch without tearing up.
