We all won with Coop's touchdown

Congratulations and thank you to Coach Dave Bierman of Elgin High School and Coach Nana Agyeman of Lake Park High School. Reading the Daily Herald story describing how the coaches put the game plan aside to allow Winfred Cooper to score a touchdown despite his severe autism actually brought tears to my eyes.

In a time where too many athletes serve only their own interests and too many programs lose sight of their players, it is gratifying to read this kind of story. I recall the Central Washington University softball team who carried their opponent around the bases to complete her home run after collapsing with an injury at first base. Their act of kindness actually eliminated CWU from the playoffs. They weren't thinking about the playoff spot. Clearly, sportsmanship had been learned at some level for these athletes to put another player above their own interests.

We have seen another unbelievable act of sportsmanship.

Thank you, Coach Bierman and Coach Agyeman. Thank you to the parents, players and fans that understood and supported this act of sportsmanship. Congratulations to the Coopers for never giving up on your son, and for giving the coaches and your son that opportunity.

What class! This deserved to be a front-page story.

You truly taught that a game is not more important than the people who play it. You taught that there are values that trump victories and statistics.

Thank you for having the guts and the wisdom to teach these things and care more about Winfred than you did about the game.

Dan Walter

South Elgin