Posted on 03/14/2006 11:47:34 AM PST by MinorityRepublican
"Our country was captivated by an amazing story on the basketball court," the president told reporters gathered on the tarmac, his arm draped around the 17-year-old senior, with Air Force One, the presidential jet, in the background. "It's the story of a young man who found his touch on the basketball court, which in turn touched the hearts of citizens all around the country."
The president joked that if his aging body would let him return to the basketball court, he'd want a lesson from McElwain.
Because of his autism, McElwain didn't begin talking until he was 5 and still lacks some social skills. Despite suffering from the little understood developmental disorder, he has served as all-around motivator for the Greece Athena High School basketball team, in Greece, N.Y., a Rochester suburb.
Last month, the coach had him suit up for the final home game of the season and put him in with four minutes to go when the team opened a large lead. In his first and only appearance for the team, the 5-foot-6 manager hit six 3-point shots and a 2-pointer and was carried off the court on his teammates' shoulders.
The jaw-dropping performance was caught on a student video and made national news. His parents have received a flood of calls from Hollywood.
Bush said he learned about McElwain from seeing him on TV.
"I wept, just like a lot of other people did," he said, as McElwain beamed beside him.
Everytime I see and hear this story...here come the waterworks. I'm rarely this touched by such things, but this one gets me everytime.
Thanks Jason!
Big Mac-daddy ping
If the story says he's 5'6", maybe it's a typo by somebody and it should be 5'9". That would make more sense from the look of things. Either that, or he's wearing boots or shoe lifts or something...
Could be somebody just underestimated him...again!
Our chief is a good man.
Miracle bump.
And the crowd was cheering, "Sam-wise! Sam-wise! Sam-wise!"
Great story.
Amazing kid
More recently, JMac's team played my town's team in the playoffs.
Our team won and there was some taunting. (Na-Na-Na-Na, Na-Na-Na-Na Goodbyeeee)
JMac flipped the bird to the my town's fans.
But at least he had enough sense to be polite to the President.
That's a nice story.
I was gonna say the same thing. Rudy was a great movie!
As I pointed out when I posted the original story on FR, 20 points in four minutes is a rate of 160 points per game. I also fought back tears when I saw the film footage and interview of this story. I knew Hollywood would be interested, I just hope they don't screw it up.
Bush bestows yet another blessing! I so Love & Respect this Man. Worthy is he to be used as a prime dictionary definition of A Man!
& So exciting for the Basket Ball wonder boy! Both, for making all those baskets and now getting the joy of a meet & greet with President Bush...Nothin' but neat!
BTW Bookmarked it in my FR Links!
I cant remember all I want to ping to this Lovely story...You though I know will love this and perhaps ping ones I've missed...In any case just thought you'd want to see this! Ping! BTTT!
I can totally relate about the "waterworks"...I was driving when I first heard the story on XM radio, the tears were certainly flowing! Such a heartwarming story...can't wait for the movie!
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