The Amazing Story of Jason McElwain

Like many people, I love inspiring stories. I spend my free time reading biographies of well known people; but I love the unknown's stories just as much.
Growing up my favorite day was Friday -favorite time? 7pm EST. Peter Jennings was on ABC World News and I would be glued to the TV....waiting for "Person of the Week."

On a lazy Saturday afternoon after a stressful week, I'm sitting here watching the Stanley Cup Playoffs and catching up on the week's news. Specifically I am looking for a "warm story", or something funny.

I happened accross a story of Jason McElwain and his love for basketball. Jason is autistic, and for years he helped coach his high school basketball team. In the last game of the season the coach decided to put Jason on the roster -allow him to "suit up" and sit on the bench. For a young man who put in so much work trying to keep the team motivated and with so much enthusiasm his own father thought he might cause the team to get a technical foul -it was a way of saying "Thank you."

I don't think I need to tell you what happened next, but I will. At the end of the game the coach pointed to Jason and put him in the game. The crowd erupted with a roar when Jason walked onto the court and his teammates screamed and cheered. With four minutes left in the game and Jason's team up by double digits, there was no risk with him being on the floor -it was all about Jason and his team knew it.

The coach, the team and the fans would have all loved to see Jason score just one basket, they were about to get their wish and be taken on a wild ride.

I could tell you what happened, but you wouldn't believe me. Watch the video on CBSNews.com to get the full effect...just be sure to turn your speakers up so you can get the feeling of being at the game in the middle of the roaring crowd -I bet you find yourself cheering for #52, Jason McElwain.