I really was starting to doubt whether there was any good left in the human population. That is until I saw an inspirational video on YouTube a few days ago that would greatly change my mind.

At a local high school in El Paso, Texas there is a student named Mitchell who has a developmental disability. Mitchell serves as the basketball team manager as well as the team’s biggest fan.

At the last game of the season, the coach told Mitchell to put a team jersey on. The coach had decided no matter what the score was, he was going to let Mitchell play at the very end.

With a minute and a half left, the coach put Mitchell in the game, which prompted the crowd to start chanting and cheering his name.

I didn’t think it could get better than this, but it did. His teammates were doing everything they could to try and let Mitchell score a basket, but it just wasn’t in the cards. Every time they would throw him the basketball, Mitchell missed the basket.

Just when all hope seemed lost, it was quickly regained. The opposing team had possession of the basketball and with seconds left, they were on their way to victory. What happened next is one of the most awe-inspiring moments I have ever witnessed.

In a split second, Mitchell’s life would change forever.

No. 22 on the opposite team was getting ready to throw the basketball into play to one of his team members, until he instead decided to throw the basketball to Mitchell. Mitchell threw the basketball and it went in the basket!

Although it was the other team’s basket, it didn’t matter to anyone. The crowd went wild. They were hugging, screaming and swarming around Mitchell on the court. Mitchell’s team didn’t win, but all that mattered was he got his moment of glory he would remember forever.

When the YouTube video was finished, I looked at my mom, cousin and aunt. Seeing the tears roll down their faces and feeling my eyes start to swell was an indication of just how powerful this video was.

At first, I was speechless and I didn’t know exactly what to say. No. 22 didn’t have to throw Mitchell the ball. He could have thrown the basketball to one of his team members and could have scored an additional two or three points. This incredible act just show this player’s true character. That showed true sportsmanship, compassion and kindness.

I started thinking to myself, “Why don’t we hear more about these kinds of stories?” and “Why does it seem the news only shows the negative and depressing stories?” It seems as if events like this are rare.

I feel as if people only focus on the negativity around them instead of taking in all the positive. I think if we look closer at our surroundings, we would see these kind acts happening all the time.

I learned from No. 22 that if we take the time, we can make a difference in people’s lives as well. We need to put our best interests aside sometimes and go out of our way for others.

This video made me question myself and how I act. I made a vow to try and be more conscious of my surroundings and to help others out when possible, even if it might be a bit of an inconvenience. I urge everyone to do the same thing.

The reward of making someone’s day better or even in some incredible cases, changing peoples’ lives, might just be the best gift we could ask for.

A quote by John Bunyan sums up this whole experience: “You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.”

Just when you think the world is a cruel place, throw someone the “ball” and make someone’s day. Generous actions, whether big or small, each help make the world a better place.

After watching this video more times than I would like to admit, my faith in humanity has been restored.

It’s time to go out into the world and make a difference.

Nick Turinsky is a guest columnist at The State News and a journalism sophomore. Reach him at turinsky@msu.edu.