Good Things Still Happen in Sports

So often in sports, we only hear about the guy getting in trouble. With the law, their league, whatever. For family problems, weapons charges, drugs, or steroids.

But we never hear about the good things that happen.

This article I first heard about on one of ESPN's afternoon panel shows, and after some resarch, found out more about it from ESPN.com's story. That link is here - http://sports.espn.go.com/highschool/rise/basketball/boys/news/story?id=3914375.

What a story this is. I have decided to not disgrace sports and those who are clean by arguing and talking about the steroids issue. Athletes take steroids for me-me-me. This story is about he other player, and doing what was right.

This is the story of Milwaukee (Wisconsin) Madison senior Johntell Franklin. On February 7th, Johntell lost his mother, Carlitha, to cancer. She was only 39 years old.

Johntrell, a senior on the basketball team, was not thought to be fit to play in his team's game that same night. His coach, Aaron Womack Jr., did not include Johntrell's name on the official scorebook because he thought Johntrell would miss the game.

The opposing team, DeKalb (Ill.) High School, had tried to have the game postponed due to the situation, but Womack would have no part in it. He argued that DeKalb had come two plus hours for the game. The game was then delayed another two hours as Womack himself was with Johntrell.

During the game, Johntrell arived at the gym during the second quarter. Fans gave him a standing ovation as they became aware he was in the gym.

But Johntrell Franklin didn't want to watch the game. he wanted to play in it.

Since his name wasn't on the official scorebook, Milwaukee Madison would be called for a Technical Foul if Johntrell stepped on the court. DeKalb tried to decline the foul call, but officials argued they were required to call the penalty.

Upon the foul call, DeKalb coach Dave Rohlman gathered his players and asked who wanted to take the shots. Senior point guard Darius McNeal wanted to take the shots.

McNeal walked to the line, alone on the floor, as the other players and coaches watched from the sidelines. The fans sitting in the stands, watching as well.

With all eyes on him, McNeal stepped to the line and went through his normal free-throw routine. What he did next had nothing regular about it.

Instead of shooting the regular free-throw, McNeal instead flipped the ball a few feet in front of him where it bounced a few times before rolling over the end line, constituting in an attempted 'shot.' McNeal followed the attempt up with another of the same variety.

McNeal turned away from the line to a standing applause from everyone in the gym, as his sportsmanship was saluted.

"I did it for the guy who lost his mom," McNeal said. "It was the right thing to do."

DeKalb eventually lost the game, 62-57.

Johntrell finished the game with ten points.

His coach, Womack, was so impressed that he sent a letter to the Dekalb newpaper that first reported the story.

At the end of his letter he added this - "I'd like to recognize Darius who stepped up to miss the shot on purpose. He could have been selfish and cared only for his own stats [I hope Coach Rohlman doesn't make him run for missing the free throws]."

Good things still do happen in sports these days after all.