Wholesome Gestures: These Students Will Remember These Kind Actions Forever

Athletes are often admired for what they do on the field. Sometimes, however, what they do off the field is worthy of equal admiration. Below we have two stories of football stars who have gone the extra yard to make the world a better place. The first story involves quarterback Max Akin, team manager K.L. Norwood, and a thoughtful surprise that changed both of their lives forever.

Friday night football is a big deal at Fossil Ridge High School in Fort Worth, Texas. On one particular Friday night, star quarterback Max Akin was playing a tremendous game. When halftime came around, Akin had successfully thrown 200 yards, ran 60 yards, and given four touchdowns! 

When he started high school football, Max Akin played wide receiver. However, it quickly became apparent that his arm strength made him a great pick for quarterback. Over the next four years, Akin went from being another wide receiver to being the star quarterback.

This particular Friday night game was the homecoming game. For players and students alike, this was one of the biggest nights of the year. In more than one way, all lights were pointed on quarterback Max Akin.

Kemper Louis (K.L.) Norwood was born three months premature and only weighed one pound 13 ounces at birth. Such a harrowing entry into the world led doctors to make dire predictions about his future. 

Shortly after K.L.’s premature birth, the doctors diagnosed him with cerebral palsy. This medical condition affects physical development and makes movement, balance, and posture difficult. Oftentimes, people with cerebral palsy develop speech impediments and show a lack of fluidity in their walk.

Despite the doctor’s predictions, K.L. Norwood managed to walk, talk, see, and hear. In high school, Norwood was admired and respected by classmates and teachers alike. Staci Murto, a Fossil Ridge teacher, told the Dallas Morning News, “You can tell everyone just loves him.”

Football was K.L.’s favorite sport, so during his senior year at Fossil Ridge High School, K.L. became the student equipment manager of the football team. 

Homecoming night is a big deal for the students at Fossil Ridge – it’s up there with senior prom and the state championship game in football. Alongside all the ceremonies and dressing up is the signature football game.

Instead of talking about why he should win the crown, Max Akin chose to humble himself a bit and talk about another student, one who “positively uplifts this school the most.”

The Homecoming King was announced during halftime at the football game. No one was surprised that Akin, the star quarterback, won. Even though K.L. was hoping that he would have won himself, he was nonetheless excited for his buddy Max.

After snapping some photos with the Homecoming Queen, Max Akin moved away and gestured toward K.L. Come over, he seemed to be saying, so K.L. decided to walk over. Suddenly, to the surprise of everyone, Max dropped to one knee and bowed his head.

Adoring fans chanted “K.L.! K.L.!” as he became the new Homecoming King of Fossil Ridge High School. K.L.’s temporary sadness turned into bliss as a smile grew on his face. That smile quickly spread to the Homecoming Queen as well, who couldn’t contain her joy.

K.L. was taken aback by all the chants and applause – he definitely wasn’t expecting it. He stood there and smiled while soaking in an incredible moment in his high school career. “It was really nice of him to do that,” K.L. said. “It made me really, really happy.”

If it weren’t for social media, this heartfelt homecoming from Fossil Ridge would have stayed at Fossil Ridge. However, all the posts and pictures that people shared online caught the attention of local media who decided to give it coverage.

The Ellen DeGeneres Show is one of the most popular daytime TV shows in the US. Ellen amuses and uplifts her guests and audience members by sharing inspiring and surprising stories. As a viewer or guest, it’s hard to know what she will say next.

K.L. and Akin left Forth Worth, Texas to appear on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Ellen’s show paid the way for these two high school students to board a plane and come to California. It was a no-brainer for the producers because their story was so touching.

Ellen was taken aback by Max’s decision to pass the crown to his friend K.L. Despite outward appearances, Akin said the fact that K.L. had cerebral palsy wasn’t the reason he did what he did.

Max and K.L. used the national prominence of Ellen’s show to spread a message of basic humanity and hope. As Akin said, “as corny as it may sound, you’ve got to treat everyone the way you want to be treated.”

As the interview continued, Ellen asked K.L. and Max about their future plans. Both had the same answer – they were attending college in the fall. This was the cue for Ellen’s big surprise.

When talking about the other candidates for Homecoming King, Max Akin said they were all great, “but I knew exactly who deserved the crown. As soon as I heard the nominees, I knew K.L. was the one who should get it.”

Our next story has the same message of positivity and compassion, but it’s centered on a more famous figure – Tim Tebow. Although his legacy on the NFL field is up for debate, his charitable actions outside the field are not. It’s generally agreed that he’s a good person.

At the University of Florida, Tebow became one of the greatest college quarterbacks of all time. It was no surprise when he won the prestigious Heisman Trophy. During his time there, he was also unapologetically religious – often wearing Biblical messages and praying on the field.

During college football at the University of Florida, Tebow integrated his faith into the game. Although a lot of athletes say they’re religious, most of them keep their private beliefs and practices off the field. Tebow, however, was different. He made his private beliefs public by displaying them proudly.

After an incredible college career with the Florida Gators, Tebow was drafted to the Denver Broncos. A lot of fans and commentators were expecting him to have a spectacular professional career. However, that never happened quite as planned.

Although he might have been somewhat inconsistent on the field, he was entirely consistent off the field! He cared for the larger community and always saw the bigger picture. Despite his NFL career not being what he hoped for, he didn’t let that get in the way of modeling good behavior for others.

Tim shows a great deal of enthusiasm and satisfaction when speaking about the wide range of charitable work his foundation does. Under the larger Tim Tebow Foundation is a host of smaller organizations that work toward their own specific goals.

Of all the charities and initiatives that Tim participates in, his favorite is the Night to Shine program. This is dedicated to giving kids with special needs the ability to have a unique prom-style night. It’s the largest event that the Tim Tebow Foundation currently has.

The celebration is a massive global event. It started in 2015 with 15,000 volunteers spanning three countries, but by 2020, it had grown to 215,000 volunteers spread over 34 countries. The prom-night experience is complete with red carpets, fancy clothes, and plenty of dancing.

Although some might say that the prom isn’t that important, we disagree. Many of the teens who participate in the Night to Shine event have positive and even transformative experiences – alongside all the fun.

Like Tim Tebow, Judy Adams is passionate about helping others. As a person with Down Syndrome, Judy loves to do all she can to make life better for those who’re in the same boat as her.

Judy Adams’ charity work grew out of a desire to help out with her mom’s charity. To do that, Judy decided to start collecting dimes from local people. Pretty soon, however, that local effort turned into a nationwide movement.

Judy Adams, as we’ve said before, was (and is) a huge Tim Tebow fan. Although she appreciates his athletic abilities and his warm personality, she’s mostly inspired by all the work he’s done for those with Down Syndrome.

Tim was bummed out that he couldn’t be Judy’s date for the prom. It would have been one of the highlights of her life. Although Tim couldn’t make it, he also couldn’t get the request out of his mind – so he concocted a way to surprise her.

The first rule was that mom had to keep it a secret – she couldn’t tell Judy that she got the tickets from Tim Tebow. Instead, she told Judy that the tickets were won in a raffle.

While on the Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy was chatting with Tim about the Tim Tebow Foundation and the Night to Shine program. When the conversation turned to prom experiences, Tim said something that astounded the audience.

After Tebow revealed that he never went to prom, Fallon pulled out a corsage of flowers for him. It was a bit of a joke, though, and part of a larger plan. After that, Tebow turned to the audience and began describing how one girl asked him to be her date at Night to Shine.

Judy was in complete shock – overjoyed with emotion. Soon after, Tebow asked Judy if she wanted to have a dance with him. Of course! She screamed out “Yes!” and marched toward the stage as the audience erupted in applause.

It was an incredibly powerful moment to capture on live television. As the house band played slow music, they danced back and forth. Tebow let her know how beautiful she looked and then asked if she was surprised. “Yes!” she screamed.

After her big moment dancing with Tim Tebow on national TV, Judy and her family were able to head behind the scenes for a private tour. Backstage at The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon, they were able to meet crew members and other celebrities.

After the TV dance and backstage tour, it was time for a private chat with Tim. Judy and her family felt immensely lucky. Tebow is such an affable and caring guy that he often puts all his attention on the person he’s talking to – which made Judy feel extra special.