LOCAL OPINION: Players stop game, approach bully in stands

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on March 21, 2015 11:28 PM

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There are some afternoons where boredom just sinks in.

You either scan Twitter, Facebook or some other social media to find something that could bring a smile to your face, make you laugh or even shed a few tears.

After all, those things are good for the soul.

At least Erma Bombeck thinks so.

One afternoon, after a particularly stressful morning, I sat down on the sofa, grabbed my laptop and logged on to Facebook. Although greeted by numerous messages, something else caught my eye.

There was a video about a young girl with Down's syndrome.

The story immediately grabbed my attention since two of my good friends are raising children with Down's syndrome. And they're awesome kids, by the way.

Back to the story.

Desiree Andrews was getting bullied from the stands during a junior high basketball game. Once the team from her school heard rude comments directed toward the eighth-grade cheerleader, three players walked off the court, walked into the stands and told the bully to stop.

The action caused the crowd to go silent.

After that day, the team adopted Desiree and someone walks with her to class every day now. The boys showed courage by defending their classmate. But they also let Desiree know that she has friends who care about her and are there whenever she needs them.

The players call the gym "Dee's House" and cheer "Who's house? Dee's House!" after every game. The athletic director has planned to hang a banner in the gym honoring Desiree.

OK.

Grab a tissue.

It's a compelling story that tugs at your heart strings and one that's gone viral since a Wisconsin television station first reported the incident.

But it's a lesson, too.

"Never judge a book by its cover" is an adage that's been proven over time. We're all different in many ways. At the same time, we're all human because we were made by the same God. We don't know everyone's "back story" and many times, unfortunately -- and subconsciously -- we either sit in judgment or make crude remarks about people.

In this age of murder, racism and other issues that plague our country -- and the world -- remember the bravery those players displayed when they defended Desiree.

If you see someone sitting alone at school, walk up to them, say "hi" and introduce yourself. Take the time to get to know them and you just might discover that you have something in common with each other.

A friendship may even bloom.

If you're in a restaurant and see someone sitting alone, why not anonymously buy their lunch? Generosity goes a long way and is not forgotten despite the selfish society that exists today.

Think again about Desiree.

Think again about the players' behavior, and how it strengthened their school and their community.

Why can't we follow their example?