The Score That Didn’t Matter, and the One That Did

Mid-week recommendation

In 2013, Mitchell Marcus, a student with a developmental disability and basketball team manager at Coronado High School (El Paso, Texas), was given a surprise chance to play in the final game of the season. His coach, Peter Morales, put him in during the last minute.

Mitchell’s teammates tried to help him score. But each shot missed.

Then something unexpected happened. Jonathan Montañez, a senior from the opposing team, Franklin High School, had the ball on the final play. He could have ended the game. Instead, he turned to Mitchell, called his name and passed him the ball. Mitchell caught it. Shot. Scored.

You can watch this 2-minute video here

In basketball, that kind of play is called a turnover, when a player gives the ball to the other team, usually by accident. But this time, Jonathan gave it away on purpose. Not to lose the game, but to give someone else their moment.

Jonathan didn’t just win respect that day. He was later awarded a full college scholarship for that single act of kindness. In his words, “I was raised to treat others how you want to be treated.” Kindness begins when we notice not just what’s happening to us but what’s happening to someone else.

Raising kind isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it.

See you soon with the next issue of Raising Ki(n)d.