Every autumn, in the days leading up to Iowa State’s first football game, a unique and deeply moving event unfolds: Victory Day. What looks from afar like a typical sports pep rally is anything but. This is where the spirit of inclusiveness takes center stage, as children with special needs are invited to step into the world of college football—to don helmets, run alongside the team, and even imagine themselves scoring a game-winning touchdown.
Yet among the cheers and adrenaline, the most profound moment might be the one you almost miss. Mandy Cosper, mother to young Colt, remembers it vividly. Colt, who lives with a neurological disorder that causes drooling, stood excitedly beside player Funto Akinshilo for a photo. Rather than let the droplet go unnoticed, Funto reached over and gently wiped his chin. It was such a simple action—almost instinctual—but for Mandy, it was a moment that spoke volumes. “It was one of the sweetest moments I’ve ever seen,” she later shared.
What makes that gesture remarkable isn’t its grandeur. On the contrary, its strength lies in its quiet humility. In the confusion of cameras, flashing lights, and cheering crowds, a football player paused just long enough to notice something small—and to act with care.
For families like the Cospers, moments like these aren’t just anecdotes; they become cherished memories, stories to relive again and again. It’s not about public acknowledgment or fanfare. It’s about feeling seen, and knowing that a world that sometimes feels big, loud, and overwhelming can also be tender and attuned.
And you don’t have to be a football player to make this kind of impact. Kindness isn’t seasonal—it’s timeless. It’s the quick measure of the heart, delivered at the perfect moment. In a world where grand gestures often steal the spotlight, it’s these small acts—forged quietly in emotional moments—that can dwell longest in the heart.
So as fall rolls around, and Victory Day recurs once more, remember this: kindness doesn’t need to arrive on a wave of applause. Often, it arrives in a soft touch just when someone needs it most.