Tommy Wilson walked into the apartment where he and his mother lived, beat and worn out. His mother had been holding dinner until 7 o'clock every night so that Tommy could go to football practice and then Spinoza's market to work for two hours after school every day.
Welcome home Johnny U!
I'm on special teams mom. Johnny Unitas is a quarterback.
Oh? Well excuse me...any new bruises today?
Yeah. My right shin is real bruised.
Tommy was a senior at Catowaga High School in Buffalo, New York and going out for football for the very first time. He was on a mission. You see, Tommy was in love with Mary Burns. Mary's family had moved to Buffalo last year from Chattanooga, Tennessee. Her father was an airline pilot and this is where the job was. Tommy and his mom did not have a lot of money. He would have wanted to buy a ring or a necklace that he could give to Mary so that everyone would know that Mary was his girl. What he finally decided on was going to take a lot of effort. He wanted to make the football team and earn a varsity letter, put it on a sweater, and give it to Mary. All the guys who had lettered had given lettered sweaters to their girlfriends. One problem he had was that he had never played football before. You have to get into ten quarters of football games to earn a letter. After a week of practice, the coach had told Tommy that the only way he could ever get into games is on the kickoff team, and that only if he proved he could tackle. Tommy had given more effort than anyone on the team, flying down the field and literally throwing his body at the opposing players. Working at Spinoza's would provide him enough money to give some to his mom and buy the wool sweater for $37.50. That was the plan anyway.
Mary: Tommy, I'm really worried about you. You get hurt almost every practice and you work so hard afterwards at Spinoza's. Are you sure that you really want to do this. you know that football doesn't mean anything to me.
Tommy: Mary, I have to do this. Football will be over in December and I can slow down.
Tommy had not told Mary about the plan or the importance of others knowing that she was his girl. Mary was a Christian girl from the south who always talked about the Lord. Tommy didn't understand half of it. He never talked this way about God and didn't know anyone other than Mary that did.
Mary: Tommy, the Bible says that you must be "born again". You should think about this and try to understand what it means!
Tommy: Mary, I believe in God. I may not be perfect, but who is...except for maybe you? Mary: You know I'm not perfect Tommy. Actually I'm far from it since I know the Lord and still cannot live as I should.
Tommy: Well, you seem pretty close to perfect...in everything...to me Mary.
Tommy's coach was not particularly happy that Tommy expected to win a letter. This was his second year with the Chargers and he was going to succeed and make coaching his profession. Catowaga had never had a winning football season. They were 0-10 the year before coach Thomas came and 4 and 6 in his first year. Come hell or high water, as the coach would say, they were going to have a winning season this year and that meant 6 wins. The assistant coach, Mark Offen was a coach second, and a history teacher first. He admired the spunk of this young, light weight senior, that for some reason, just had to win a letter. His efforts probably helped Coach Thomas to keep from cutting Tommy.
Coach Offen: Are you all right Wilson?
Tommy: Yeah coach. I think I forgot to hit with my shoulders instead of my head.
Coach Offen: Sit down for while.
Tommy: Do I have to coach? I feel ok.
Coach Thomas came over as Tommy headed for the sidelines.
Coach Thomas: That kids going to kill himself and get us all in trouble.
Coach Offen: I'll keep an eye on him Mike. He'll be alright.
Tommy liked to take Mary up to this new hamburger joint called McDonalds. It was only 19 cents for a burger and that was all that he could afford on his budget. Mary, carried a little Bible with her at all times and liked to sneak in about ten minutes of Bible reading to Tommy every time they were together. Tommy was glad he didn't live in the South for they took religion all too seriously. The next day would be the first game and Tommy didn't know if he would get in, for the coach gave no clues. When the game started, he was not on the field for the opening kickoff, nor for the two others in the first half. Catowaga was winning 21-0 when they took the field for the second half. Coach Thomas barked out orders and yelled out Tommy's name for the kickoff without even looking for him. Tommy's first experience in a game was not encouraging. He ran down the field and was belted by someone twice his size. but he had 1 quarter in for his letter. He was not in the game for the last quarter. The next week was a grueling practice week. Tommy hit every opposite colored practice jersey he had a chance to. Coach Offen patted him on the back but Coach Thomas never acknowledged him. The Chargers were 1 and o going into the second game. Again Tommy did not play in the first half. For the kickoff starting the second half, Tommy's name was called. He flew down the field and hit the first jersey he saw, who flew back into the ball carrier. This enabled his teammates to reach the runner and bring him down. Tommy had actually contributed. In the fourth quarter, he was on the kickoff team again. The kick was real short, someone in the middle had picked up the ball and Tommy had a chance to hit a ball carrier for the first time. Just as he was about to lower his head for the tackle, he was blocked hard and thought that he heard his finger snap. The trainer wrapped it up and the doctor later said that it was separated and would keep him out of football for three weeks at least. Tommy now had 3 quarters of the 10 that he needed but half the season was over when he was given the ok to play again. The Chargers were 3 and 2 so the coach was not on the warpath as much as he had been in the past. The 6th game saw Tommy get in to play but only in the 4th quarter. He now had 4 quarters of game play with 4 games left.
Mary: Tommy. You played really well last night. You hit that big number 70 real hard!Tommy: But I didn't move him Mary. I can't expect to get a letter if I can't help the team. Mary: Is that what this is all about...a letter? Why is it so important?
Tommy: Well...uh...I just have to win a letter while in high school, that's all.
Tommy had a fairly good week of practice but did not get in the 7th game at all and they lost.
The team was 4 and 3 and Coach Thomas hardly even practiced Tommy the next week. Tommy thought he heard Coach Offen mention his name to Coach Thomas once. He couldn't hear what was being said but could tell the neither was very happy. Game eight went well from the start and the Chargers were up 30 to 0 at the half. There were 10 quarters left and Tommy needed to get in 6 of them. It seemed impossible but he kept on giving everything that he had. Tommy was on the kickoff team starting the second half and Coach Offen slapped him on the back with encouragement. Tommy ran down the field fast but not as fast as he had been, for he had to have an idea of where the ball carrier was. The runner picked about 20 yards when he found himself charging straight at Tommy who lowered his head and dove for his legs. The runner went down and teammates were slapping Tommy on the helmet, but it had cost Tommy for he felt his finger hurting again but didn't tell anyone. The Chargers put their 3rd team in for the fourth quarter and did not score at all so that there was no chance for Tommy to get in. The next week was the opposite. Tommy got in on the first kickoff but the team was down 28 to 0 at half and Tommy could not get in. One game left and Tommy needed all 4 quarters for that letter. His finger hurt all week but he hit everything in sight in practice. He was actually learning the game with one game left in his career. The team now had 5 wins and 4 losses with one game left and they had to win for that winning season. Tommy thought it impossible to get in for 4 quarters. Coach Offen told him to make the plays and he'll get in. It seemed as if he had talked to Coach Thomas or something. He was in on the first kickoff and hit one blocker and knocked him down. The runner came next and Tommy latched onto his legs for the tackle. It was a high scoring game for three quarters and Tommy was in on every kickoff and make three tackles. Catowaga was losing 28 to 27 in the last quarter of the season and the Chargers could not move the ball nor could the other team. Time was running out on his plan. Five minutes were left in the game, then 4...3...2. Waltersville, their main rival had the ball on their own 10 yard line with a 1 point lead and only 15 seconds left on the clock. Tommy had tears in his eyes. He looked up in the stands and saw Mary looking at him and smiling. She pointed up to the sky and Tommy knew what she meant...."the Lord was more important than football." Tommy began to feel guilty that his team was going to lose, his coach was not going to reach his goal, but he only cared about himself. The game was just about over and Coach Thomas angrily yelled out Tommy's name. Tommy jumped up and looked at him. The coach told him to go in for Davis in the defensive backfield. Tommy had only played that position in practice, more as a body needed. He started running out on the field and every one was yelling to him that he needed his helmet. He reached the defensive huddle. He now had his ten quarters. Why would Coach Thomas do this, especially as they were about to lose. His teammates were oblivious to this. They only had one more play on their mind. The quarterback took the snap and handed off to the fullback who broke through the line coming right at Tommy. Tommy ran straight at him and hit him as hard as he ever hit anyone. Tommy was knocked on his back but heard shouts. He had caused a fumble and everyone was running after the ball. One guy fell on it only to have it squirt out and towards Tommy. There was no time to think about anything. Tommy picked it up and ran towards the goal. He was hit short of it but before he fell was hit from behind by a teammate and then another. He felt his feet hit the ground and pushed one more time in the scrum with players in front but more in back. He fell but held on to the ball and could still hear yells. What had happened? The referee was pulling players off until he saw Tommy and raised his hands signaling a touchdown. Everyone was pulling at him, slapping um, yelling at him. He had scored the winning touchdown, The team beat their rival and finished the season at 6 wins and 4 loses. Tommy was in a bit of shock. As he walked back towards the sideline he saw Coaches Thomas and Offen talking. Coach Thomas was just smiling and shaking his head up and down.
Mary: Tommy, you were unbelievable, you were the hero, and you will get your letter.
Tommy: Mary, I'll tell you later why I had to have that letter.
Two weeks later was the football banquet where the varsity letters would be given out. Everyone had two tickets for the dinner to give to parents. Friends could buy their own. Tommy's mother and Mary would be at the table. The Chargers colors were white and red. Tommy had bought the white wool sweater at Anderson's Department Store and was ready to have the letter put on the day after. Tommy's mom had picked up Mary in their 1957 Ford Fairlane and met Tommy at the banquet who had gone early for instructions on the ceremony. Tommy was the only senior to be given a varsity letter for the first time, an 10 inch red "C." Coach Thomas said a few words about every player that came up to the podium. When he came to Tommy, he had this to say Quite frankly, I never expected Tommy Wilson to earn this letter. It is near impossible to earn a varsity letter as a senior without ever having played a down of organized football. It fact, I'm ashamed to admit, I was a little bit annoyed in his determination. But Coach Offen had faith in Tommy's abilities, abilities that I did not see. He nearly twisted my arm to get him in all four corners of that last game. Come up for your letter Tommy. You deserved it as much as anyone on this team. Tommy was red faced and looked to Coach Offen and smiled as he returned to his table. He gave his varsity letter to his mom and held Mary's hand tight.
Mary: Well Tommy, I'm so proud of you and you have that varsity letter that you wanted so much!
Tommy: Mary, I never told you why I wanted this letter so bad. All the other guys have something to give their girls to show everyone that they are their girlfriends. They give nice rings and most have cars to drive them all around. They take them to the prom and I can't afford that. I worked for that letter to put on a sweater and ask you if you would wear it for the rest for the year. I would be so proud to see you in it, knowing that you are showing everyone that we love each other.
Mary: Tommy...I had no idea that you felt this way! I...I'm in shock...and I...I have to tell you what is going through my mind. Tommy, everyone will one day stand before God and He will look at them to see if they belong to His son Jesus. And do you how He will know? All of those who have trusted in Jesus, and Him alone to save them...they will be dressed in white..the righteousness of Christ. We will stand before God after a lifetime that is filled with sin, yet the Father will not see that for He will see what Jesus has done. That is why Jesus came here to be one of us to live the perfect life and pay for our sins. Tommy, if we trust in anything we do then we are pulling back that robe of righteousness to reveal our sin. God may have given you this determination to win a varsity letter to show you this. When we are "born again" we see this Tommy.
Tommy could not say a word. The Mary that he loved so much was the Mary that loved Jesus so much. He sometimes felt jealous over this. How wrong he had been. For the very first time, he understood what Mary was trying to tell him. He felt that God must love him to show him this. He had doubted this before because he had grown up without a father. Tommy felt tears forming in his eyes and turned his head. His mother was just returning to her seat. She had his sweater in her hand and the red varsity letter "C" was sown on. She had secretly brought the sweater with her and returned to the car to sew the letter on. Tommy looked lovingly into his mother's eyes and took the sweater and turned back to Mary. She had stood up and removed the little vest she was wearing. Tommy offered her the sweater and she carefully put it on. As she sat down and said Thank you, Tommy looked at her with wet eyes and said Maybe we can both put on something white tonight with the letter "C"? They held hands as the principle turned the microphone on and said.
Well, the Supreme Court recently ruled that God cannot come into our schools. Maybe someday we will have to comply...but not tonight. Heavenly Father. Thank you for this night, and for the food we are about to receive....
