High School sports are enjoyed by millions of people across the US, and part of what makes them so appealing to the crowds that come to watch is the heart and soul these young athletes put into their game. But the crowd at a wrestling match last week in Minnesota got to witness an even greater example of how sports can cross all age barriers and bring us all closer together.
Sophomore Mitchell Mckee’s father, Steve McKee, was diagnosed with cancer and given only two months to live. In the final match of his weight class, he successfully pinned his opponent and secured a victory while his father watched on.
“My dad has always been there, cheering me on,” Michell told local papers. “No matter how hard it is for him.”
You can see how proud his father was to see his son win.
But then something even more powerful happened. Despite losing out in the finals after coming so close to victory, his opponent Malik Stewart did the unexpected.
Instead of wallowing in defeat, Stewart walked over to where Steve McKee was sitting and embraced him fully, opening the hearts of the crowd.
“I went through the same thing when I was younger but my dad didn’t pass by cancer. It was a heart attack”, the wrestler told the press, “so I know what he is going through.”
We can all learn a lesson from Malik Stewart. In a way, the whole world is our family, and when they are suffering, we must be there to embrace them.