On the Road: Middle school football players execute life-changing play

As part of our continuing series "On the Road," Steve Hartman meets the Olivet Eagles, a middle school football team who took a fledgling player under their wing and executed what may be the most successful play of all time.

[@elizabethalgeri8492]

these kids were raised right!!

[@elijahwalcott8431]

You can say that again

[@rubenvega4005]

Elizabeth Algeri The amount of respect to them ✊

[@joshh6285]

Praise to the lord!

[@someone-zb8we]

696

[@jamesblumensheid353]

Amen. I agree 110%!

[@igore89]

I'm not crying. It's just been raining. On my face.

[@deansapp4635]

me too

[@Hokie4Life]

Igore1907 lol

[@Pugg1007]

Igore1907 same

[@arielorapa]

Oh my gaaad. This is funny hahahahaha

[@MCeili]

Oh I am so crying.

[@fsupark]

I really appreciated how the wide receiver was crying while discussing how something like that affected him. We used to be told to not cry and man up as kids; so, it's really refreshing and promising to have young minds like his be open with their feelings. It's very healthy and that type of positive behavior spreads.

[@ericthepatriot1]

You used to be told not to cry? During football last season I cried like 5 times and once already this year

[@roosters93]

ericthepatriot1 last season was 2013. can you not imagine that maybe it wasn't always the way it is now?

[@statusq1879]

Almost every football player I've encountered has a nice cry when they lose their last game. My senior year, the opposing team drove the length of the field and scored with :00 seconds on the clock to pull within one. They went for two and won the game. We all cried. Our coaches cried. I lost my last baseball game in the 12th inning, giving up the winning run after pitching 6 scoreless inning and going 4 for 5. I had a nice cry after that one. But hey, that's just my experience.

[@0351watcher]

That was a great statement I'm 72 yrs old and I cried when I watched it!

[@anah3864]

Dave bulik jr Agreed! I bet that boy is a fine young man now, and will continue to be an outstanding friend, son, father, coworker, etc, because of the empathy that he so obviously expressed with those tears. He seems to have undergone a bit of a transformation, and I believe that those finer instincts that have awakened in him will guide him to a decent, human, moral path in life.

[@PabloCesarZen1111]

The last kid crying at the end is my new big hero. :) Feels good to give little brother?

[@PabloCesarZen1111]

***** Internet my friend... Internet is sharing so much important information to all of us, no matter age, sexuality or race. We see the result of well used information, an spontaneous awareness to what REALLY REALLY matters in life. To be happy... And by loving and by receiving love we reach it faster and easier. Sounds hippie and cheesy but it matches harmoniously with the structure of our mind.

[@StudioAnnLe]

These young men prove why there is so much hope for the next generation. Love this video!

[@gabexd1510]

Do you really love this video🤨

[@thefifaman8971]

@@gabexd1510 bruh

[@s4v4ge48]

Pœ 😩😩😩

[@plushy7424]

Wouldn’t say that yet chief

[@Hanad2x]

little did she know -2021

[@WarriorPaxo]

wow those are some amazing kids.. faith in humanity restored

[@damianfraley9586]

Never lost faith in humanity so mine doesnt need to be restored, it was a very nice sweet thing to do tho

[@waffle6648]

1:30 “Hello” That was so cute

[@TheIronSheikSociety]

Allowing a student with special needs to be a big part of a football game is priceless!! Those players really demonstrated what it means to be true men! Justice Miller really spoke well, no matter how hard it was for him to tell the story. Within these players, they learned to value and love one another and mature greatly!! Great gentlemen!! Well done!!

[@leroyhudson4311]

Dang... who's slicin' onions right now? Geez.

[@0351watcher]

MEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

[@dotyscott6309]

My bad I’ll stop

[@rockageek]

these kids have more warmth and compassion than most adults.

[@Lafffyy]

true

[@leacgreenwood]

This is how all boys should be raised to treat others.

[@joshuasweeney7864]

Joseph Anthony i agree, im all for raising boys this way but girls should be too

[@harbo14]

I believe EVERYONE should be raised and taught this way. Girls and boys.

[@bmoreriseup6130]

@@jojotoosmooth8913 you cant teach em or else they will get mad and call you a rapist until your entire life is ruined and you have to register as a sex offender. Then you live out your days on the street with no home and no job.

[@alexconner154]

Really, just boys, your serious

[@trulyalanah2163]

@@bmoreriseup6130 huh? what does that have to do with raising girls to treat each other kind?

[@HarlemGlobetrotters]

We don't come across such amazing displays of teamwork, compassion and selflessness every day. Thanks for setting such a great example and you've got our vote as the football Play of the Year! We're excited to have the entire team at a game this year!

[@pj254]

my broda

[@ridikulusridikulus6454]

How is this comment from the Harlem Globetrotters 7 years old with only 10 likes?

[@socrrr]

yep

[@socrrr]

@@ridikulusridikulus6454 idk

[@brighterspark2414]

That kid was crying. He's the best

[@steveapplebaugh2200]

I am a father and a middle school classroom teacher, and this is amazing to me! Justice and Keith and all the boys learned a lot, so much more than anything I can 'teach' or facilitate as a teacher using traditional curricular material. Thank you for enriching so many people, guys!

[@mr.ebersolessciencechannel5954]

Father & Middle school teacher. Same for me. Same thoughts from me. Well done fellas.

[@alexconner154]

Congrats with your life, i agree whole heartedly

[@RaheemD]

Aw the kid at the end.

[@iaminsideyourhome69]

7 years late, but i hope he's prospering and happy

[@emilyordner5545]

I wish all middle school/high school were as nice and good-hearted as these boys are!

[@ruisentieiro3366]

Those are the men this sick world needs.Thank you guys for sweeten my old and sour heart.I wish you all the best in your life's. I wish all good people in this world are okay (unfortunately,the virus isn't selective),greetings from Portugal,Carpe Diem.

[@BrandoninOrlando]

Wow if these kids keep this attitude they will go far in life .

[@psychothof]

What makes this piece so good is not just the fact that Keith got his touchdown, but rather the effect that it had on all the other guys. Justice being profiled at the end was so sweet and sincere.

[@Marmallow44]

Faith in humanity restored!

[@damianfraley9586]

Never lost faith in humanity!!!!@ MAGA

[@AgrathaDinakaran]

The whole "Faith in humanity restored" comment? It's used for moments like these. Kudos, boys! :')

[@GiftFromGod4U]

Justice!!!! 😭 You, young sir, have learned a virtue that has forever shaped your life. So much GREATNESS will flow from you! 💜🙏🏾💜

[@kathiehollingshead3388]

It's not just the nice thing they did that makes this special, it's the reaction of the player at the very end of the clip. Go ahead. I dare you not to cry.

[@theTardisrules]

omg even the reporter is cracking up.... I mean... Damn.... now I need a hug, that was... that was awesome... like the best play I have ever seen... and they did this in secret... "wow" is really the only word for it.

[@usernameisamf]

I had to watch this twice. It was so precious, and the boy's tear streaming down his sweet face,at the end of the video, showed he learned an invaluable lesson.

[@scottymat4566]

If only this could be an everyday occurrence around the world eh?. People caring about others in their Billions

[@LatinAmericanDog]

Amen to that

[@TricksterAndAwesome]

Without bad there is no good

[@scottymat4566]

It would be nice to see the Good being a bit more evident than the Bad though. I understand that to have Positive there has to be Negative or Light & Dark. The Planet really needs mankind to show it's good side to promote healing.There are far too many instances of Mankind showing it's Bad side at the moment.

[@zacharybishop6595]

Oh it is, just never gets reported on.

[@MeteorMega]

Hopefully there are more children like this. They are wonderful!

[@harrisonrutledge5]

Justice Miller is an amazing kid. God bless him. Handsome too. Mature beyond his years.

[@eveallen68]

It is refreshing to see kids being nice to someone who is a little different. It gives me a warm fuzzy feeling inside.

[@justmarya617]

This kids are the sweetest ever , they're so smart. the kid who is crying bless his heart ❤️

[@GothKaida]

This is beyond sportsmanship, this is friendship and family beyond that of your kin.

[@gmacwizard8890]

Stories like this give me faith in humanity and I think we are going to be fine

[@amberandrews2154]

This brought tears to my eyes. Absolutely wonderful boys. Their parents have done a fantastic job raising them.

[@ChetLindsay]

Anything is possible! It's great how those young football players changed into wonderful souls! My faith in humanity is starting to grow back.

[@BereanBubba]

God Bless those boys. This really touched my heart. I have a special needs son and so many do not realize the blessing they are in our lives. How they remind us to be kind and thoughtful of others.

[@richardivory606]

This video is amazing and what they all did is what truely demonstrates being human. But what I don't get is why people would dislike this video it is amazing and brilliant and definitely human.

[@PanicbyExample]

that was the first thing i checked on to when i went from the site where i found it to the original youtube page to favorite it, to see if it could possibly be at 0 of course not, people just do that to blemish the 0-potential, no way to account for it, couldn't possibly matter any less though, eh?

[@richardivory606]

What are you saying?

[@PanicbyExample]

i was saying people mark minus when they shouldn't because they shouldn't, it's like hardwired rebellion but there's no way to countermand the presence of inherently contrary compulsion, i was only saying it to let you know i noticed the thumbs down too, just to be on the same side, solidarity of mutually rolling our eyes at the pettiness of some people dom panic was saying dignity should be the rule not the exception, by making it seem superhuman you justify people who act like we shouldn't expect that from people on a regular basis because it takes 'special people' to offer those great examples but it's a youtube forum so it might have come off a little condescending, but it's an easy topic to become discouraged about but, gotta keep in mind that heart is the root word of dis-/en-courage-ment good day

[@babybirdhome]

Bryan McCormick Geez Bryan, you remind me a lot of my friend Chris. Great comment here explaining the whole thing, and solid insights too. Added you to my G+ circles under my KZbin account.

[@samanthab.6982]

Dom Panic There's a difference between treating someone well and going out of your way to do something nice for them, and for that, they deserve some recognition.

[@HaleyGzales]

This is awesome. Some of us just need to give back and not think everything is about themselves and their friends only. Their are other kids in this world that don't have friends because of the way they act or because of the way they look. This is so inspirational. Even though their are only about 60 middle school in my school we still have bullying. Let's try to be nicer, sit next to someone who doesn't have friends and become friends with them. Be Kind!

[@gonzalesteam]

I am so proud of you!!!

[@Turnajon]

How very moving to see a story like this. Once upon a time, I too was disabled and socially inept... until I met the classmates that made me into a better person. I find this story very inspiring and heartfelt.

[@marvelousscript95]

At the end when the boy cry made me cry. That football team is soo sweet!

[@skandal0]

You always remember what you did, the rest of your life, and you'll be happy and remember the good persons that you are when you remember this act. My respect for all of you. (Sorry for my english, only expects that you can read my feellings with this words) . And thanks for the lesson of humanity.

[@lizzytv_1]

This is my favorite video in my life time it makes me cry every time I see it and Justin talking about how it made him feel is even more amazing

[@jacquehollister5000]

IV watched so many videos of kids n sports and what they have done for another student or students or other teams and I cry with happiness cuz it's always good beautiful things they've done and to know that adults should learn from THESE kids, what we all should already know and do but yet we don't. Bless these kids and bless those that have shown the kindness we adults don't show. We as adults should relearn the kindness n love these kids have shown ❤️😭🤗

[@JohnPiercy]

One of the finest thing i've seen in my lifetime. Wonderful young men there. profoundly changed for the better for their entire lives. Watch the futures of every one of those boys - they will do great things for this world. Thanks guys.

[@idajohansen4504]

That boy- Justis (I am probobly spelling it wrong) Miller, who cries, wow- he seems like a wonderful kid! All of them, of course. But he's the one that made me cry. ^^, I am so happy to see people with 'power' using it for good! Go team:)

[@SaltiDawg2008]

These kids are amazing young men! What they did will affect them all for life. I would love to see a follow piece in 15-20 years to see what happened to them ALL. I suspect many leaders will evolve and have a profound effect! PS Yeah, I know, Never could get 'effect' and 'affect' sorted out!

[@cj10109]

This is beautiful. Love and kindness goes a long way!

[@billywilliams9416]

when that wonderfull boy start to cry i lost it you see acts of kindness changes all our lifes it makes you feel good it's that simple

[@amit3003]

The maturity and empathy of these kids is so heartwarming.

[@Amanda57563]

I think that's my favorite part, too, Stephen: this is a group of 13-14 year old boys. That age group doesn't necessarily have a reputation for being the most compassionate or selfless members of society. And they're football players, too! Yet, they were able to look at their situation, come together as a group and decide that they wanted to help their teammate, and they did it. Just awesome. :)

[@tamma3441]

Way to go guys. An act of kindness there is no end to the hearts you have touched.

[@Ralvarez559]

Respect to all of the players. This was truly touching.

[@freddierogers2019]

This made me cry like a baby :')

[@laurakubacka2411]

when he said hello to the cameraman i was like awwww 😭😭

[@thnd3rb1rd]

I've watched this maybe 3 dozen times and still can't do so without tearing up. Those kids are beyond cool. They've been blessed. This was shot 4 years ago... wonder what they are all doing now. Good kids. Good Americans.

[@jackster1212]

I love these kids. Good god, they're fantastic... and what a great thing to see so much character celebrated on the news. It's exceptionalism that's real, not contrived. And by the way, love that kid Keith too... he had me tearing up with the hugs. Makes me hope my son grows up to be as good as these young men.

[@Jarethenator]

All these feels are giving me a bit of a headache :,P

[@xxMakotosanxx]

My faith in their generation has been restored. If only the guys in my high school or just anyone around here could have the courage to do something like that then i'd change my opinion on them.

[@miagonzales3031]

Wow. This is just so amazing, especially in the world that we live in today with all the bullying issues. I'm crying tears of joy, this video and these kids just made my heart so happy.

[@emilywiebel3238]

I have huge faith in our younger generations and much of is it bc of the great stories about so many amazing kids from Steve Hartman.

[@AkikoArtworks1]

I had an awful day (at a high school, no less!), but watching this made it so much better! You made my day Olivet Eagles :D Thanks!!!

[@patrickhyatt9325]

never underestimate the power of human love

[@diandrekyre3430]

This is truly such an awesome story. It honestly warms my heart to see that kids so young recognize what it means to care and be selfless. Especially at a time in their lives when most others are only worried about themselves.

[@montrealstars60]

Those parents did good in teaching their kids how to care about others... How beautiful to see this video!! Thanks for making me feel happy with tears!

[@Abelhawk]

Faith in humanity: Restored!

[@kevinhoward9593]

Justice Miller breaking down is just emotional. wonder if he looks back on this even after 5yrs.

[@anah3864]

When I despair at the cruelty we are more frequently seeing in others, I watch videos like this and remember that there are generations of wonderful young people who are still out there behaving exactly as human beings should. Thank you to them and thank you to the parents who've raised them!

[@terid6004]

So nice to see a story like this. So often, you would see a child like this end up as a victim of bullying. Nice to see these young people do such a mature and kind thing.

[@twinklestarz3]

I love them so much!

[@vtoxinsss]

At least he didn’t get destroyed like that kid with the potato heartt

[@vtoxinsss]

E’s Enjoyment channel Yay! ?

[@frosty5121]

LifeAccordingToJimmy?

[@jennifere.9816]

wow i was touched by these boys and what they did. there boys are leaving me speechless and out of breath cause what they did blew my mind away. that team is going to do something big! they are going to do something powerful and its going to be huge. i cant wait to see what the boys do if i see another one of their stories/powerful moments they do as a team. way to go boys you are what people should be!

[@bethwall]

Our family was filled with football coachs and players, so this was amazingly touching to me, made me cry..so happy to see younger people coming back to some moral values in this country

[@justjess1996]

teenagers get such a bad rep and then you see something like this and it makes me glad that i am part of a generation that is accepting and try;s to look after each other

[@bulletboy013]

Wow.... no surprise, but were I narrating this, my voice would be breaking up at the end as well. Touching as hell, especially for a father of a kid who is very much the same in many ways.

[@nicktproductionscom]

Goes to show there still is People out there that really care :) kudos to you guys :) God Bless you all.

[@edmyrvespucci]

wow. such a touching story... Made me tear up a bit! This is a lesson to all ages...

[@BijilBaji]

people in life may inspire you in different ways but only it depends on you how go with it.

[@epicpancakes23]

I'm not crying. I'm just sweating out of my eyes.

[@ContrarianAngel]

Love that it's going viral. All children have the capacity to be kind. We need to make this kind of behavior cool, because it really is.

[@lisakeane8630]

what a wonderful story :) this instills my faith that there is hope for today's youth.. warms my heart, truly.

[@nickl5249]

Just imagine if the opposing team would have tackled him. Lol

[@nickl5249]

The announcer at the end was about to break down

[@obamarockstar6993]

Omg lol

[@anthonylewis3990]

I live 20 mins from this place we played them

[@Femininecollective]

Inspiring and brave. Thank you Steve Harman for this story and Olivet Eagles, this act of kindness will change your life forever.

[@jheffhree]

Damn! Ninjas cutting onions again!

[@Tejano44]

Love and tears. :')

[@4barefeet]

You guys are inspiring. The most inspiring part of this is how these kids got as much, if not more out of this than their friend did. They have learned the joy that comes from giving - and that is awesome! You have all been named Today's Favourite Human. #todaysfavouritehuman

[@CodyKitforDisney]

feel so special that my mother's hometown made national news in a good and impacting way. My mother grew up in the Olivet county, and my grandmother worked as a office secretary in that exact middle school for many years.

[@SpectrumHazard]

Come on dude, you're making me cry...

[@jessiebarker13]

When I saw this I cried

[@mr5chu1tz]

I’m from a small town near the center of Michigan and this is how Michigan football works. Family🏈

[@Yaaasays]

Love love love love love these kids.I hope they continue to be caring young men

[@4lynlover]

faith in humanity restored

[@Bulletmazz]

THEY CARE!!! THEY REALLY CARE!!!!

[@PattyHendrickson]

So delightful to see youth sports showcased in such a positive light. What a life lesson for the team and the world!

[@rusureitsme]

Just unbelievably awesome. I had to cry. There is still good in this world!

[@donder91]

Damn you firebros! Stop sending me to video's like this!

[@donuts71]

Far better than a bunch of overpaid men on a football field could ever be!

[@carlabrancato26]

How wonderful! They are a great group of young men. Their school, families, and friends should be VERY proud of them. I hope it was a good lesson for everyone. Thank you guys, I know you made someone's day. :)

[@mb1554]

WOW! The power of kindness just spreads...

[@MrStrangeSensation]

Can someone please tell me....how did a kid with a learning disability end up on the football team in the first place? I mean, it's a nice story and everything. Those are some goodhearted kids who did this. But this story makes it sound like the boy, Keith, was a regular members of the team. Not to sound insensitive, but I'm hoping it's more like an honorary kind of thing, or he's the waterboy or something...but the news story completely omits that if it is the case. If this boy's disability is severe enough that he has to be surrounded by blockers and physically pushed, almost carried into the end zone, he should not be on that field in the first place.

[@rigoespinal1390]

307 People have never scored a touchdown