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The first day of Special Olympics Oklahoma (USA) Summer Games is always a day filled with excitement and anticipation for everyone. On 9 May, however, the excitement level in the host city of Stillwater went beyond all expectations when legendary country music star Garth Brooks surprised everyone by walking onto the bocce field during competition.
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Garth Brooks greets Special Olympics Oklahoma athlete Chris Kopecky. (Photo: Teresa Vance) |
John Seals, Special Olympics Oklahoma Area Services and Sports Director, met Brooks when their daughters played on the same soccer team. Seals asked him to come see a Special Olympics event and Brooks took him up on the offer. “When Garth first arrived and walked toward the bocce venue,” said Seals, “people would stop and turn, following him with their gazes. You could see them whispering. As we got nearer to the field, you could see they weren't just guessing anymore, they were certain it was Garth and the crowds started forming. The athletes love Garth and were awestruck as he greeted them. Many coaches and parents later told me that meeting Garth was the highlight of the entire Summer Games for their athletes.”
Brooks signed autographs, shook hands, hugged, posed for photos and handed out awards for more than five hours. “It seemed as if he just couldn't say no to any athlete,” said Seals.
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Garth Brooks with Special Olympics Oklahoma's 2007 Family of the Year, the Copelin family of Newkirk, Oklahoma. (From left) Jay (Dad); Ty; Garth Brooks; Kyle (Special Olympics Oklahoma athlete); Allyson; and Jill (Mom). (Photo: Joe Lawley) |
In an open letter to Brooks, Michelle Husband, parent of athlete Chris Kopecky, wrote, “My son, a junior, just returned from the Special Olympics event in Stillwater, which he has attended every year since he was in grade school. When he got off the bus he ran to me, waving in the air, not the silver metal he'd won, but the Special Olympics name card he wore around his neck. He was laughing and shouting, 'Mom, Mom, just look at this … look at what I got!' I looked at the writing on the back of the card and could see the first part of the sentence: 'Chris-Good show!' But not having my glasses on, I couldn't make out the rest. I asked Chris what it said, to which he replied, 'Garth Brooks! And Mom, they took a picture of us and he was wearing his black hat and yellow boots!'”
Garth Brooks made an impression of a lifetime for hundreds of Special Olympics Oklahoma athletes. Who says good guys only wear white hats?
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Garth Brooks surprises and delights an athlete who is definitely a big fan. (Photos - Joe Lawley) | |
