Being Dad for "Dear Dads" Day at School

I read this story on Espn.com and just had to share it...it is all about a priceless gift to a pair of fatherless young boys.  Steve McNair was a prominent NFL quarterback who was killed this past July - leaving behind his wife and four sons.  As someone who lost her mother at the age of 12, I can tell you first-hand that those "Mom Days" at school were some of the hardest days in coping with her loss.  So when I heard what Vince Young did for two of the late quarterback's young sons, I was filled with joy, inspiration, compassion, and relief.  Joy for human kind. Compassion for the two grieving boys. And relief that they had someone to step in and fill a role on such an important day of their lives.  If you know of a grieving child, use Mr. Young as an example of how you can step in and help in such a small but meaningful way.

Here is the article from ESPN.com:

September 17, 2009, 8:37 PM ET

Young surprises McNair's sons

For one day at least, Vince Young stepped up to try to fill the void for the late Steve McNair's two young sons, The Tennessean reported Thursday.

Young surprised 11-year-old Trenton and 5-year-old Tyler on Wednesday by showing up at their house and taking them to their school's "Dear Dads Breakfast" at a local restaurant.

"Those are my boys," Young told The Tennessean. "I wouldn't say it was to pay anyone back; it was just out of love. Steve would do it for me. He pretty much did it for me when I was growing up. I have a history with the boys and I want to do anything I can. I am their big brother."

Julie Dilworth, admissions director at St. Paul Christian Academy, lauded Young's actions.

"It was a great, great gesture," Dilworth told The Tennessean. "All the kids had been talking about the dads' breakfast and [Trenton and Tyler] were wondering what was going to happen with them.

"They were thrilled ... the boys came to school with huge smiles on their faces."

Young had a close relationship with Steve McNair, even before the latter was drafted by the Titans four years ago. He attended McNair's football camps when he was young. McNair was shot and killed July 4.

Besides being there for McNair's sons, Young gave other kids at the school jerseys and autographs.

"It was a surprise, and just to see the excitement on their faces, it's a great feeling," Young told The Tennessean. "We had a good time eating pancakes. I had an omelet.

"Overall they are doing cool, doing good. Just talking to their mom, I think they are going to be all right. I am always going to be here for them, always."

McNair also had two older teenage sons.

ESPN.com news services