Written by Garret Mathews, veteran columnist and venerable storyteller. In 2000, Mathews was named Columnist of the Year for Scripps-Howard newspapers.
Once upon a time there was a high school senior named Golden Boy. He could run like the wind with a pigskin tucked against his numeral. And he could sidestep five tacklers with a single swivel of his hips.
Courtesy: SI.com
Golden Boy dated Janie May, the president of the Chemistry Club. Her father, a fat-cat lawyer, told his daughter she could have a Corvette, but the young lady said she’d rather walk to class.
Golden Boy kept a scrapbook of clippings, but none about his football exploits. Instead, it was full of articles about Marco Polo and William the Conqueror—items he thought he’d need in college.
Golden Boy never sat at the back of the classroom. Instead he kept his book turned to the proper page, asking probing questions. And he tutored other students who fell behind.
Then, one day, the Head Football Coach of Major University came to Golden Boy’s house. They talked a few minutes about the spread offense, but spent most of their time talking about the nation’s trade deficit.
“We’re first and foremost about academics,” Head Football Coach said. “The game is secondary to our players. Earning a degree is first and foremost,” he declared.
Courtesy: rmyauctions.com
“For real?” Golden Boy asked. “You bet!” said Head Football Coach … who teaches four classes and pesters the academic dean to give him more work.
Golden Boy arrived at Major University for his recruiting visit. He was impressed by dozens of computer stations in the athletic dorm. And he was pleased to see the extensive collection of books by Kierkegaard and Nietzsche lined on the Head Football Coach’s bookshelf.
“I’ll sign!” Golden Boy said. “You’ll never regret it!” Head Football Coach replied.
Well, Golden Boy never missed a class while attending Major University. He never appeared on the police blotter, either. And, for Lord’s sake, he never, ever met a member of the Booster Club.
He never wore jewelry, bandannas, headbands or anything else that would call attention to himself. And when Golden Boy scored a touchdown, he handed the football to the referee. He believed it was his job to score touchdowns. Staging celebrations wasn’t what he was supposed to do.
When Golden Boy graduated, the president of Major University referred to him as a “student-athlete.” Nobody laughed. It was true!
Courtesy: lapetitefashionista.blogspot.com
Golden Boy married Janie May. As a reward her father said he could get them high-paying, mindless jobs with a big corporation. But they said, no, preferring instead to teach at an inner-city elementary school.
Golden Boy and Janie got 11 hugs from their students on the first day they taught … and twice that many the next.
They lived happily ever after.
(NOTE: This is a fairy tale. Capitalize the “O” in Once Upon a Time.”)
