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For those that have not heard the story or saw the video, here it is. It is a very emotional tribute to the compassion that we as people are cabable of.
http://www.herald-dispatch.com/jakeporter/JakePorter.htm
McDERMOTT, Ohio -- Northwest football coach Dave Frantz should have listened to Liz Porter's motherly instincts years ago.
Perhaps he would have been better prepared for the frenzy that's currently taking place.
"It was about three years ago," Frantz recalled. "She said ‘One day, with Jake’s personality, he’s going to make national news. And when this happens, I want everybody to know how great Southern Ohio is to embrace Jake and take him in as one of their own.’ It was like she scripted it."
Northwest High School player Jake Porter has scored the touchdown heard around the world.
As predicted, Liz’s son, Jake Porter, has become a household name over the last three weeks. The 17 year old was born with "Chromosomal Fragile-X," which is the leading cause of inherited mental retardation.
But with the help of two coaches, 21 players, and a dash of the human spirit, Porter of Northwest High School was granted the memory of a lifetime when he ran for a 49-yard touchdown in the game’s waning moments against Waverly High School.
Although he had practiced everyday with the team, Porter had only taken a knee in one other game because of his physical condition.
Both Frantz and coach Derek DeWitt of Waverly agreed beforehand to let Porter come in and do the same at end of this ballgame. But with Waverly leading 42-0 in the fourth quarter, DeWitt and his team opted to abandon the shutout for the sake of sportsmanship.
It was a rare breath of fresh air in a year that’s been difficult for all Americans.
The timing was perfect. The deed was even better. And once the story circulated, it didn’t take long for our nation to rejoice.
"I think that’s why people are captivated by this story," Northwest Superintendent Bob Ralstin said. "In this day and age with so much negative news, we as a nation need these types of things to restore our faith in the human (race)."
"It’s amazing how far-reaching it’s been," Liz Porter said. "We all get caught up in the business and sadness of life, and we sometimes forget what’s really important. There’s just so many more good things out there if we just look."
Jake’s Acceptance
"If you say Jake -- he may not be the only Jake in the school -- but everybody knows who you’re talking about." -- Northwest coach Dave Frantz
Porter’s touchdown run against Waverly wasn’t the beginning. It was just a continuation of a comfortable environment the school district had already provided.
The district is one of the few in Scioto County that houses mentally handicapped kids from the elementary level up, which Ralstin says helps kids learn to mesh with others that are a little bit different from them at an early age.
Porter’s family came to McDermott from Dayton, Ohio when Jake was 13. By the time he reached high school, he was already one of the school’s most popular kids.
As a freshman, the homecoming queen got to choose her escort to the big dance. She picked Jake.
Two years ago as a sophomore, star running back Doug Montavon took Porter under his wing, and the two quickly became good friends.
Porter was mentored by Montavon, who during his senior year set the single season rushing record for the Mohawks, and he ended up helping teach Porter how to tie his shoes and write his name in the process.
Montavon currently plays football for Glenville State in West Virginia, but the two still call each other on a regular basis.
Frantz said if anyone deserved to see Jake’s memorable moment, it was Montavon.
"I really hate that he didn’t get to see Jake score, because Doug was very instrumental in bringing him along at the high school level," Frantz said. "Wherever he was, Jake was."
"I’d give anything to see that tape, just to see his reaction," Montavon said. "I know we (Northwest) lost by 40. But after that, I bet it felt like we won by 50."
http://www.herald-dispatch.com/jakeporter/JakePorter.htm
McDERMOTT, Ohio -- Northwest football coach Dave Frantz should have listened to Liz Porter's motherly instincts years ago.
Perhaps he would have been better prepared for the frenzy that's currently taking place.
"It was about three years ago," Frantz recalled. "She said ‘One day, with Jake’s personality, he’s going to make national news. And when this happens, I want everybody to know how great Southern Ohio is to embrace Jake and take him in as one of their own.’ It was like she scripted it."
Northwest High School player Jake Porter has scored the touchdown heard around the world.
As predicted, Liz’s son, Jake Porter, has become a household name over the last three weeks. The 17 year old was born with "Chromosomal Fragile-X," which is the leading cause of inherited mental retardation.
But with the help of two coaches, 21 players, and a dash of the human spirit, Porter of Northwest High School was granted the memory of a lifetime when he ran for a 49-yard touchdown in the game’s waning moments against Waverly High School.
Although he had practiced everyday with the team, Porter had only taken a knee in one other game because of his physical condition.
Both Frantz and coach Derek DeWitt of Waverly agreed beforehand to let Porter come in and do the same at end of this ballgame. But with Waverly leading 42-0 in the fourth quarter, DeWitt and his team opted to abandon the shutout for the sake of sportsmanship.
It was a rare breath of fresh air in a year that’s been difficult for all Americans.
The timing was perfect. The deed was even better. And once the story circulated, it didn’t take long for our nation to rejoice.
"I think that’s why people are captivated by this story," Northwest Superintendent Bob Ralstin said. "In this day and age with so much negative news, we as a nation need these types of things to restore our faith in the human (race)."
"It’s amazing how far-reaching it’s been," Liz Porter said. "We all get caught up in the business and sadness of life, and we sometimes forget what’s really important. There’s just so many more good things out there if we just look."
Jake’s Acceptance
"If you say Jake -- he may not be the only Jake in the school -- but everybody knows who you’re talking about." -- Northwest coach Dave Frantz
Porter’s touchdown run against Waverly wasn’t the beginning. It was just a continuation of a comfortable environment the school district had already provided.
The district is one of the few in Scioto County that houses mentally handicapped kids from the elementary level up, which Ralstin says helps kids learn to mesh with others that are a little bit different from them at an early age.
Porter’s family came to McDermott from Dayton, Ohio when Jake was 13. By the time he reached high school, he was already one of the school’s most popular kids.
As a freshman, the homecoming queen got to choose her escort to the big dance. She picked Jake.
Two years ago as a sophomore, star running back Doug Montavon took Porter under his wing, and the two quickly became good friends.
Porter was mentored by Montavon, who during his senior year set the single season rushing record for the Mohawks, and he ended up helping teach Porter how to tie his shoes and write his name in the process.
Montavon currently plays football for Glenville State in West Virginia, but the two still call each other on a regular basis.
Frantz said if anyone deserved to see Jake’s memorable moment, it was Montavon.
"I really hate that he didn’t get to see Jake score, because Doug was very instrumental in bringing him along at the high school level," Frantz said. "Wherever he was, Jake was."
"I’d give anything to see that tape, just to see his reaction," Montavon said. "I know we (Northwest) lost by 40. But after that, I bet it felt like we won by 50."
