The Touching Moment a Middle School Wrestler Lets Boy With Cerebral Palsy Win His First-Ever Match
// Font size:
With one heartwarming gesture of sportsmanship, a teenage boy has become an internet sensation after letting a severely disabled opponent defeat him in a wrestling match.
Video posted online shows cerebral palsy sufferer Jared Stevens, 13, fulfill his dream to fight in a competitive wrestling match and beat big-heated Justin Kievit in front of his cheering classmates in Nolensville, Tennessee.
With over 100,000 views on YouTube and Facebook so far, the video shows the moment the two boys meet for the first time and show the 'bigger message' according to Phil Stevens, Jared's father.
'It’s what — a minute, minute and a half maybe?' said Jared’s dad, Phil Stevens to The Tennessean. 'But it’s the echoes of it that make the difference.'
Physically, Jared is equivalent to a six-month old but intellectually he has no difficulty and the teen practices with the Sunset Middle School wrestling team every day - but has never competed until now.
'The first time he met Jared was when he shook hands with him before the match. So it really was spontaneous. They just picked this kid,' said Craig Kievit, Justin's father.
'If you watch the video, he just did an amazing job. There's not many adults comfortable putting hands on a disabled kid, much less another 13-year-old.'
During the incredible video, Justin shakes hands with Jared and then helps Jared pull his arm over his own body so he can be pinned on the floor.
'It felt good,' Jared said about his first wrestling experience to the Franklin Home Page
'I think a lot of people are scared to put kids like me on the mat, but they don’t need to be.'
One of three triplet brothers, this is not the first time that the keen sportsman has taken to the sporting field.
'Last year he tried football, then he decided he wanted to try something different,' Phil Stevens said.
When Jared expressed that he wanted to participate in a wrestling match, Mayes said he called his friend Randy Stevens (no relation), a coach at another middle school.
'It wasn’t about weight class,' Mayes told the Tennessean. 'I told him to point me toward the kid who has the kindest heart.'
For his part, when Justin accepted the challenge he was a little apprehensive.
'I was a little nervous,' said Justin. 'Then I kind of figured out what to do.'
The Stevens family who moved to Tennessee from Florida last year have always let their disable son try whatever he wants, including ziplining with the Boy Scouts.
'We’re all pretty physical at home,' he says. 'And he’s always talking smack around us. He’ll say, ‘You want to go, Dad? I’ll bust you up.’
Image gallery
Headlines Newsview all
Ivanka Trump Will Not Tolerate a ‘Spoiled, Bratty’ Daughter
Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, are expecting a visit from the stork this fall, but before the special delivery, the happy couple is ... Full story
Katy Perry: Russell Brand asked for a divorce via text message
Katy Perry is revealing details of her short-lived marriage to British comedian Russell Brand — and they sure are fireworks. The 28-year-old pop star, who is ... Full story
Italian Supreme Court orders Amanda Knox back for trial
Italy's high court today faulted the acquittal of Amanda Knox by the appeals court for the murder of her roommate, ruling that it WAS a ... Full story
New England Patriots Aaron Hernadez questioned in murder investigation
Police are seeking a warrant to search the home of Aaron Hernadez The body of a 27-year-old Boston man was found in a clearing near his ... Full story
Serena Williams says Steubenville rape victim was 'lucky' and 'shouldn't have put herself in that position
Serena Williams has sparked an intense backlash after she made an astonishing indictment of the victim in the Steubenville rape case - suggesting the 16-year-old ... Full story
Three Radio Hosts Fired After Mocking Steve Gleason
If he had been listening from his car Monday morning, radio veteran Steak Shapiro knew what he would have thought of a bit mocking a ... Full story
Hectic week? A well-deserved weekend lie-in can PREVENT type 2 diabetes
Sleeping longer at the weekend can help those who burn the candle at both ends during the working weekInsulin in the body worked better after ...
Latest Blog
Sesame Street creates a Muppet whose dad can't play with him because he's in jail
TV X Factor: Did Moorhouse bend the rules? X Factor: Stan Walker all alone Dog Jesus OK'ed by Broadcasting Standards Five highlights from Friday's Jono & Ben At Ten X Factor: Mr Lava-lava Accused Elmo puppeteer wins Emmys Q&A with Danielle Cormack Family Guy's shocking ad Friday funny: The best animal adverts TV's most shocking on-screen deaths Grab your hankies: To...0 comments
Peru Earthquake: 5.6 Magnitude Quake Hits Lima
People look the "Christ of the Pacific", which overlooks Lima from the top of Morro Solar hill in Lima's district of Chorrillos. The 37-meters tall statue, partly funded by Peru's President Alan Garcia personal savings with the support of Brazilian entrepreneurs, was built to promote tourism. A Peru earthquake has struck with a magnitude of 5.6 on Tuesday afternoon, shocking locals. The...0 comments
Watermelon Oreos Is The Latest Twist on an Iconic Cookie
Watermelon in cookie form. The perfect summer food? Nabisco hopes Oreo purists and non-fans alike will be taking a bag of the new, limited edition fruit-flavored cookies to their next picnic. The Watermelon Oreos, available only at Target (TGT) for $3 a package, feature a bright pink and green creme filling between two vanilla-flavored cookies; the creme bears a strong resemblance to...0 comments
Pet food recall affects food for cats, dogs, and ferrets
Natura is recalling all pet food manufactured before last week. The recall includes all Innova, California Natural, EVO, Healthwise, Mother Nature, and Karma branded dry pet food and treats. Natura is recalling all bags of Innova brand cat food and dog food, as well as all bags of California Natural, EVO, Healthwise, Mother Nature, and Karma branded dry pet food and...0 comments
O.J. Simpson slow-speed chase across Los Angeles was 19 years ago today
O.J. Simpson made his slow-speed chase across Los Angeles 19 years ago today. And it was incredible. Simpson, wanted as a suspect in the muder of his ex-wife Nicole and friend Ronald Goldman, had failed to meet with police earlier in the day. The Los Angeles police then declared the former NFL star a futigive, and a manhunt was launched for...0 comments
Woman locked herself inside car trunk to fake her own kidnapping because she was 'intoxicated by fear' that she will be charged with DUI
By Snejana Farberov PUBLISHED: 17:43 EST, 18 June 2013 | UPDATED: 19:11 EST, 18 June 2013 0 View comments A Massachusetts woman is accused of faking her own abduction in an attempt to avoid being arrested for driving drunk, police say. Maria Brayfield, 24, of Beverly, was charged Monday with filing a false police report in connection to an incident that happened earlier that...0 comments
Man, 21, left in a COMA and eight others faint after organizers of Mexico pool party promoting Jagermeister pour liquid nitrogen into the water
By Snejana Farberov and Micaela Mclucas PUBLISHED: 19:03 EST, 18 June 2013 | UPDATED: 19:45 EST, 18 June 2013 1 View comments A 21-year-old man was left in a coma and eight others were hospitalized after attending a weekend pool party in the Mexican city of Leon where organizers of the event poured liquid nitrogen into the water. According to authorities of the Health...0 comments
Cover-up over 16 baby deaths: Health bosses ignored damning warnings on hospital neglect
Inspection by CQC gave Morecambe Bay hospitals all-clear in 2010 CQC official produced a dossier showing the inspection was flawedBut bosses told him to destroy it to protect commission's reputation By Eleanor Harding and Sophie Borland PUBLISHED: 17:30 EST, 18 June 2013 | UPDATED: 19:05 EST, 18 June 2013 2 View comments Health bosses are today accused of covering up their failure to investigate...0 comments
Aaron Hernandez: New England Patriots tight end questioned in murder inquiry after vehicle rented in his name is found near the scene
Police are seeking a warrant to search the home of Aaron Hernadez The body of a 27-year-old Boston man was found in a clearing near his home A vehicle rented in Hernadez's name has emerged as a key piece of evidence in the investigation By Daily Mail Reporter PUBLISHED: 18:38 EST, 18 June 2013 | UPDATED: 18:58 EST, 18 June 2013 0 View comments New...0 comments
Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin. Did two chaps ever look less thrilled to see one another?
By Quentin Letts PUBLISHED: 15:12 EST, 18 June 2013 | UPDATED: 18:39 EST, 18 June 2013 103 View comments Officially, it has been the greatest diplomatic shindig in the world. Unofficially? A stewpot of bubbling tensions, rivalries and downright loathing. G8 they call it. G-hate, more like.Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin sat next to each other in one of the little ‘bilaterals’ which have...0 comments
Elf 'n' Safety V the back-street Eden: The dingy alley turned into an oasis by green-fingered locals - and the council killjoys who want to uproot it
By David Wilkes PUBLISHED: 18:29 EST, 18 June 2013 | UPDATED: 18:33 EST, 18 June 2013 0 View comments Not so long ago, it was a grey and soulless spot where yobs gathered to cause trouble. Today, however, Rockcliffe Avenue is a far more cultivated place. Some 350 pots, tubs and hanging baskets line the street, neatly arranged in rows along the garden walls...0 comments
Heart stopping moment a bear snuggles up to a hunter in a tree
By Daily Mail Reporter PUBLISHED: 17:22 EST, 18 June 2013 | UPDATED: 19:40 EST, 18 June 2013 7 View comments A hunter thought he was about to become the hunted when a bear climbed up a tree and got inches from his face.The moment, somehow both terrifying and heartwarming, was all caught on video by the relieved hunter, who thankfully lived to tell...0 comments
Emeli Sandé and Jessie J to perform at concert to mark 20th anniversary of Stephen Lawrence's murder
Doreen Lawrence said Stephen's love of music had encouraged the ideaIt will feature the likes of Plan B, Tinie Tempah, Jessie J and Emeli SandéEvent for charity will take place at London's O2 Arena on September 29Other artists in one-off concert include Jamie Cullum and Ed Sheeran By Simon Cable PUBLISHED: 18:24 EST, 18 June 2013 | UPDATED: 18:24 EST, 18 June 2013 ...0 comments
Desperate knifeman shot dead in Walmart after snatching stranger's two-year-old girl and threatening to kill her
37-year-old armed with knife grabbed toddler from shopping cartSammie Lamont Wallace demanded to see his own children Knifeman was still clutching child when Oklahoma police shot him By Jessica Jerreat PUBLISHED: 16:14 EST, 18 June 2013 | UPDATED: 18:17 EST, 18 June 2013 6 View comments Knifeman: Sammie Lamont Wallace was shot dead after taking a two-year-old girl hostage in Walmart A desperate...0 comments
Boy, 13, 'beat his sister, 5, to death with wrestling moves that he had "seen on TV"'
Viloude Louis was 'beaten by her half brother while their mother was out'Devalon Armstrong 'repeated punched her in the stomach, jumped on her and slammed her on the bed as he coped WWE moves'Death was initially ruled unclassified but he later admitted his role By Daily Mail Reporter PUBLISHED: 16:58 EST, 18 June 2013 | UPDATED: 18:12 EST, 18 June 2013 9 View...0 comments
Jordie Callahan and Jessica Hunt: Ohio couple 'kept woman as slave for 2 years'
Shannon Eckley was kept for nearly two years in an apartment in Ashland, Ohio, starting in May 2011Jordie Callahan and Jessica Hunt are accused of locking Eckley and her daughter in their apartment and repeatedly beating both of themThey allegedly took her government benefits checks and left her little or no money to spentCallahan allegedly hit Eckley and then took...0 comments
Comment on: The Touching Moment a Middle School Wrestler Lets Boy With Cerebral Palsy Win His First-Ever Match
Rate this article
Image gallery
Pictures & Photos Blog
Related news
-
'Are You Famous?': Jay-Z Talks to Granny on Subway (and She Has No Idea Who He Is)
-
World-Famous 'Cat Man' Dennis Avner Found Dead After Years of Tranforming His Face
-
Nashville Man Found Guilty Following Deathbed Murder Confession
-
Football Team Protects Bullied Girl
-
Military Wives Go Topless for Husbands
More from Video News
Breaking News
Ivanka Trump Will Not Tolerate a ‘Spoiled, Bratty’ Daughter
Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, are expecting a visit from the stork this fall, but before the special delivery, the happy couple is ... Full story
Katy Perry: Russell Brand asked for a divorce via text message
Katy Perry is revealing details of her short-lived marriage to British comedian Russell Brand — and they sure are fireworks. The 28-year-old pop star, who is ... Full story
Italian Supreme Court orders Amanda Knox back for trial
Italy's high court today faulted the acquittal of Amanda Knox by the appeals court for the murder of her roommate, ruling that it WAS a ... Full story
New England Patriots Aaron Hernadez questioned in murder investigation
Police are seeking a warrant to search the home of Aaron Hernadez The body of a 27-year-old Boston man was found in a clearing near his ... Full story
Serena Williams says Steubenville rape victim was 'lucky' and 'shouldn't have put herself in that position
Serena Williams has sparked an intense backlash after she made an astonishing indictment of the victim in the Steubenville rape case - suggesting the 16-year-old ... Full story
Three Radio Hosts Fired After Mocking Steve Gleason
If he had been listening from his car Monday morning, radio veteran Steak Shapiro knew what he would have thought of a bit mocking a ... Full story
Sesame Street creates a Muppet whose dad can't play with him because he's in jail
TV X Factor: Did Moorhouse bend the rules? X Factor: Stan Walker all alone Dog Jesus OK'ed by Broadcasting Standards Five highlights from Friday's Jono ... Full story
Peru Earthquake: 5.6 Magnitude Quake Hits Lima
People look the "Christ of the Pacific", which overlooks Lima from the top of Morro Solar hill in Lima's district of Chorrillos. The 37-meters tall ... Full story
Hectic week? A well-deserved weekend lie-in can PREVENT type 2 diabetes
Sleeping longer at the weekend can help those who burn the candle at both ends during the working weekInsulin in the body worked better after ...
Man, 21, left in a COMA and eight others faint after organizers of Mexico pool party promoting Jagermeister pour liquid nitrogen into the water
By Snejana Farberov and Micaela Mclucas PUBLISHED: 19:03 EST, 18 June 2013 | UPDATED: 19:45 EST, 18 June 2013 1 View comments A 21-year-old man was left in a ...
MOST POPULAR ON CAPITALBAY
Displaying
1 - 5
Displaying
1 - 5
Featured Articles
USA States
This is a list of the United States and its Territories in alphabetical order:United States Links
View Many useful US Links:
