#ELBlog #195: The Amazing Kindness of Jeff Hostetler

#ELBlog #195: The Amazing Kindness of Jeff Hostetler

My son Matthew and I traveled to Morgantown, West Virginia back in early November to go to a football game. We pick a different location for a sporting event every year to create memories, have wonderful experiences, and enjoy our time together. It’s been fun over the past several years as he is slowly growing into a teenager. It’s been a very good way for us to spend some time together, just us. 

On this particular Saturday, West Virginia was playing Oklahoma State. Matthew always enjoys getting to the stadium early to get the feel of the place and to watch warm-ups. Since we were so early we walked right down to the front row to watch. We gave some high-fives to the players and talked with some of the people there. We met a security guard also who was close by.  He was extremely friendly and conversational with us.   He said, “Hey there’s Jeff Hostetler.” (Jeff is a Super-Bowl winning quarterback for the NY football Giants.   He brought him over to meet us. We shook his hand, and he signed Matthew’s football. Growing up as a New York Giants fan, Jeff Hostetler was and still is the man. He was the backup to the great Phil Sims. Phil Simms had gotten injured late in the season in 1990 and Jeff Hostetler took over and brought the Giants to a Super Bowl win. I did not know he was a West Virginia graduate. He was on the sideline greeting folks, taking pictures, and being a great ambassador for West Virginia University.

He said to Matthew “I’ll be right back and will walk you around the stadium.” What?  No way! I thought to myself? That sounded awesome, and he did just that. He came back over and shook Matthew’s hand again and brought him around the stadium. He introduced him to other alumni, met some cheerleaders, met the WV Senator, the University President, and many others. Matthew was in heaven. Jeff Hostetler could not have been more gracious and kind to him.

I have never met a current or former professional athlete who is as gracious and kind as Jeff was in that moment. It was really unbelievable. Matthew felt so proud and happy.

Matthew shared with Jeff the leadership work I have been doing as well as my podcast. Jeff told Matthew he’d be happy to come on my podcast and we connected on that. How great is that!

I learned more about Jeff and the Hoss foundation and what he does to help kids. It really is tremendous and I was very impressed, and look forward to learning more about him and the work he’s doing. On this particular day, he made an impact and a difference in my son’s life and I am grateful for that

I urge you in your role, no matter how big or small, no matter your title, to take opportunities to show kindness towards others, especially kids. Jeff modeled that and it was clear that he does this often. A big thanks to Jeff Hostetler and the University of West Virginia for creating a great experience for us! Go Mountaineers!