A New York high school football player is capturing hearts across the internet after choosing to comfort a heartbroken opponent instead of celebrating a dramatic homecoming victory.
The Lyons/Sodus Lions played a tense homecoming game against Midlakes on a Friday night. Lyons jumped out to an early lead but Midlakes fought back to take the lead in the second half. It was an absolute battle.
After a late touchdown put Lyons up 32-28, they sealed the win with an interception on the last play. When the game ended a Midlakes player collapsed onto the field completely crushed by the loss.
Most of us would have sprinted straight toward our cheering teammates. Brian Tassy walked the opposite way toward the pain.
Instead of joining the celebration the sophomore went right over to the fallen player. The star receiver reached down and pulled the young man up to his feet gave him a reassuring tap and made sure he was okay.
The school district posted the clip of this act of sportsmanship on Instagram where it quickly went viral. When reporters asked Brian why he lifted up his opponent he answered plainly.
“I see him on the ground and that’s like if it was anybody no matter what jersey they got on you should help them up make sure they’re okay” Brian said. He explained this attitude is just part of their team culture. “If you see anybody on the floor or whatever that’s just the people that we got that’s cool that’s just how we roll.”
Brian’s words sound a lot like a story Jesus told. In Luke 10 a man was robbed and beaten and left half dead on the road. A priest came by and saw him but passed on the other side. A Levite did the same. Both were respected religious men and both had reasons to keep walking.
Then a Samaritan came along. Samaritans and Jews were bitter rivals and this man had every excuse to ignore a stranger from the other side. Instead he stopped and bandaged the man’s wounds and took him to an inn and paid for his care. Jesus ended the story with a simple command: go and do likewise.
The Samaritan didn’t care what side the hurting man was on. Neither did Brian. No matter what jersey they got on.
Many people think getting a promotion or winning a big game or getting perfect grades in school are the most important things in life. But we have to realize that God cares way more about our character than our trophies.
Brian got the win on the field but his real victory was walking over to a heartbroken kid and making sure he was okay. Trophies collect dust and scoreboards reset. But the kindness we show someone at their lowest moment is never forgotten by God.
“For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.” – Ecclesiastes 4:10 (NKJV)
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