This story is from today's Metro in Boston..there is NO link to the story existing..I had to retype this story by hand. It is a column by WCVB Channel 5's Bob Halloran.
Coach is Not the Saint He was Portrayed to Be
If you saw the story of the 17 year old autistic boy who scored 20 points in a high school basketball game recently, you know how inspiring the story is. But you might not have noticed what an evil hypocrite the boy's coach is.
Coach Jim Johnson called the experience one of the greatest moments he's ever had in sports, but he's lying when he says it. Winning a division title mattered more to him than seeing one of the most loyal and dedicated kids he's ever been around get a chance to play and to shine--otherwise, why did wait to put Jason McElwain into the game until there were just over four minutes to play and his team was up by 20 points? Obviously, if Greece Athena was in a nail-biter, McElwain would never have played. McElwain's dream meant nothing to Coach Johnson. Absolutely nothing.
The dreams of an autistic and immensely popular kid meant nothing to him in the first game of the year, the 12th game of the year, and every other game of the year when he failed to let McElwain play--or else McElwain would have played long before senior night. But Coach Johnson couldn't take the chance that if he played McElwain, Greece Athena might have lost somewhere along the way, then that precious division title might have slipped through his greedy little fingers.
Coach Johnson is a disgrace. He's patting himself on the back right now thinking he gave the kid an opportunity, but in point of fact, he robbed McElwain of endless opportunities to play, to feel proud and to feel like a normal kid who fails and falls and gets back up again. Clearly, McElwain can play a little bit. He was 6-for-10 from 3-point range. Maybe a good coach, a kind coach, a coach with his kids' best interests at heart could have found two minutes here or there throughout the course of the season to let everyone on his team play--even the autistic kid with the deadly aim from beyond the arc.
By the way, where was the hero of the home finale two days later? Back on the bench. Greece Athena was playing in the sectional tournament, and Coach Johnson basically told McElwain, "You had your moment kid. Now get out of the way, we've got games to win."
Gotta win, you know. Forget the kids, and all their hard work. "No child left behind" doesn't apply to sports. Leave 'em all behind. Unless the can run the pick'n'roll, who needs them?
I wish Coach Johnson had noticed how many fans packed the gym that night after they heard that there was a chance that "J-Mac" might get in the game. They didn't care if Greece Athena won. They only wanted to see their friend, their classmate who inspired them with his work ethic, positive attitude and genuine kindness on a daily basis-play. They rushed the floor and lifted him high above their shoulders. They didn't celebrate a 79-43 win and a division title. They celebrated a person.
I don't think they'll ever lift Coach Johnson up on their shoulders.He's not the kind of person worth celebrating.
I am embarrassed that this bozo is from this area...leave it to some unknowing scrooge to try and be a contrarian to a heart warming and moving story. It is totally amazing how he does NOT get it..I wonder if he puts every High School coach and college coach to the same standard??? Have all your players played?? How about that manager kid...has he played?? if he doesn't do that with the same zeal, he's hypocritical in the worst sense. Who knows how many other similar stories will never happen because coaches have NOT given players a chance. And the worst part is they will never be known...Is self-righteous Bob Halloran going to ask every coach about that?? I doubt he has the stones to or the guts..losers never can do anything when they are found out and exposed to the truth. But beyond that, he talks about players on the team..and he misses a point right there..Jason wasn't a player!! He was a team manager!! Duh...does Halloran miss that fact?? And he misses another point when he mocks the coach telling him to move aside that the team has to win. In reality, McElwain did not have enough games to be eligible for post season play, a fact that Mr Halloran didn't even know about. Just another case of the holier than though missing facts like a sloppy novice. I am truly embarrassed he is a reporter Boston and one wonders what others think of such thought.
Coach is Not the Saint He was Portrayed to Be
If you saw the story of the 17 year old autistic boy who scored 20 points in a high school basketball game recently, you know how inspiring the story is. But you might not have noticed what an evil hypocrite the boy's coach is.
Coach Jim Johnson called the experience one of the greatest moments he's ever had in sports, but he's lying when he says it. Winning a division title mattered more to him than seeing one of the most loyal and dedicated kids he's ever been around get a chance to play and to shine--otherwise, why did wait to put Jason McElwain into the game until there were just over four minutes to play and his team was up by 20 points? Obviously, if Greece Athena was in a nail-biter, McElwain would never have played. McElwain's dream meant nothing to Coach Johnson. Absolutely nothing.
The dreams of an autistic and immensely popular kid meant nothing to him in the first game of the year, the 12th game of the year, and every other game of the year when he failed to let McElwain play--or else McElwain would have played long before senior night. But Coach Johnson couldn't take the chance that if he played McElwain, Greece Athena might have lost somewhere along the way, then that precious division title might have slipped through his greedy little fingers.
Coach Johnson is a disgrace. He's patting himself on the back right now thinking he gave the kid an opportunity, but in point of fact, he robbed McElwain of endless opportunities to play, to feel proud and to feel like a normal kid who fails and falls and gets back up again. Clearly, McElwain can play a little bit. He was 6-for-10 from 3-point range. Maybe a good coach, a kind coach, a coach with his kids' best interests at heart could have found two minutes here or there throughout the course of the season to let everyone on his team play--even the autistic kid with the deadly aim from beyond the arc.
By the way, where was the hero of the home finale two days later? Back on the bench. Greece Athena was playing in the sectional tournament, and Coach Johnson basically told McElwain, "You had your moment kid. Now get out of the way, we've got games to win."
Gotta win, you know. Forget the kids, and all their hard work. "No child left behind" doesn't apply to sports. Leave 'em all behind. Unless the can run the pick'n'roll, who needs them?
I wish Coach Johnson had noticed how many fans packed the gym that night after they heard that there was a chance that "J-Mac" might get in the game. They didn't care if Greece Athena won. They only wanted to see their friend, their classmate who inspired them with his work ethic, positive attitude and genuine kindness on a daily basis-play. They rushed the floor and lifted him high above their shoulders. They didn't celebrate a 79-43 win and a division title. They celebrated a person.
I don't think they'll ever lift Coach Johnson up on their shoulders.He's not the kind of person worth celebrating.
I am embarrassed that this bozo is from this area...leave it to some unknowing scrooge to try and be a contrarian to a heart warming and moving story. It is totally amazing how he does NOT get it..I wonder if he puts every High School coach and college coach to the same standard??? Have all your players played?? How about that manager kid...has he played?? if he doesn't do that with the same zeal, he's hypocritical in the worst sense. Who knows how many other similar stories will never happen because coaches have NOT given players a chance. And the worst part is they will never be known...Is self-righteous Bob Halloran going to ask every coach about that?? I doubt he has the stones to or the guts..losers never can do anything when they are found out and exposed to the truth. But beyond that, he talks about players on the team..and he misses a point right there..Jason wasn't a player!! He was a team manager!! Duh...does Halloran miss that fact?? And he misses another point when he mocks the coach telling him to move aside that the team has to win. In reality, McElwain did not have enough games to be eligible for post season play, a fact that Mr Halloran didn't even know about. Just another case of the holier than though missing facts like a sloppy novice. I am truly embarrassed he is a reporter Boston and one wonders what others think of such thought.
Last edited:
