Opinion: Forget Obama and the GOP for one minute: Ike Ditzenberger scores a TD for two teams at once

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Technically, this item early in a new week doesn’t seem to concern politics. Though it is about how people get along.

After a week that ended with Rahm Emanuel, this item is a fresh way to start the new work cycle, with an inspiring story of effort and teammates, even those on an opposing team. (Watch this video story below by KING 5’s Jake Whittenberg!)

There may be a lesson in here for some of our politicians, too.

Nah, come to think of it, they won’t get it. But you will.

The Snohomish (Wash.) Panthers were losing badly this weekend to visiting Lake Stevens. In fact, the Panthers had not scored one point in the high school game’s first 59 minutes, 50 seconds.

But then from their own 49, Snohomish handed the ball to a fresh running back, Ike Ditzenberger, a 17-year-old junior who, according to some reports, works harder than any other player at practice. Ditzenberger happens to have Down syndrome.

No one is gonna remember the final score of this match (35-6). But in The Ticket’s sports-loving eyes, the score makes players on both sides look like real champions.

P.S. According to Ike’s mom, Kay, her son’s biggest concern now is getting a date for homecoming.

-- Andrew Malcolm

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