Nationals first-baseman Adam Dunn checks out SOMO athlete Trevor Golden's gold medal before Tuesday's game against the Florida Marlins
Today’s professional athletes are often perceived by the public as arrogant, selfish, lawless, and a host of other negative adjectives that one can think of to describe them. It seems as if every time we turn on the TV, or pick up a newspaper, there are no shortage of stories informing us about the football player who was arrested for assault, the basketball player who was charged with DUI, or Bud Selig and the MLB’s longstanding bout against the usage of performance enhancing drugs. However, there are certain moments in time when everything is put into proper perspective and we realize that there are still many professional athletes and organizations that are compassionate and caring toward people and their communities. This was the case in our Nation’s Captial yesterday evening at Nationals Park.
On Tuesday, the Washington Nationals partnered with the Special Olympics of Montgomery County, MD (SOMO) softball team, which recently won the gold medal at the Special Olympics MD state games held at Towson University this past June. Last night’s event consisted of nine participants of SOMO’s softball team running onto the field before the first pitch at Nationals Park and holding their respective positions on the field until members of the Washington Nationals took their places for their game against the Florida Marlins. Upon taking the field, Nationals players conversed briefly with the SOMO athletes in what was a moving scene for the 26,000 fans in attendance. Nationals second-baseman Adam Kennedy was seen whispering into the ear of his athlete, and first-baseman Adam Dunn seemed to take great interest in checking out athlete Trevor Golden’s gold medal, while right-fielder Michael Morse engaged in conversation with his SOMO athlete.
Although the main activity of the night was the taking of the field by SOMO’s softball athletes, 50 Special Olympics athletes, coaches, families, and fans were in attendance for the game. The group was treated to not only watching Nationals phenom Stephen Strasburg’s first start since returning from a brief stint on the DL, but they also witnessed the historic Washington National Hall of Fame Ring of Honor induction of Montreal Expo great Andre Dawson. It will be an evening remembered by not only SOMO athletes, volunteers, and their families, but by the members of the Washington Nationals as well. Far too often we hear only about the negative things that occur in professional sports, while moments such as the one shared at Nationals Park last night go unnoticed. However, 26,000 individuals last night were able to witness for themselves that there is still compassion and goodness involved in the world of professional sports.
The Special Olympics motto says: “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.” Although the Nationals lost to the Florida Marlins, there was a bigger victory enjoyed by many yesterday and it will be etched in the minds of all participants for the rest of their lives.
For more information on Special Olympics, or to donate, click here.
