Close Ad

Man Rushes Into a Basketball Game Covered in Black Coal Dust - The Reason Why Is Going Viral
Photo of Coal Miner Dad Covered in Soot at a Basketball Game Goes Viral
Uplifting News

Man Rushes Into a Basketball Game Covered in Black Coal Dust - The Reason Why Is Going Viral

Sometimes, being a hero just means showing up.

Kentucky dad Michael McGuire didn't want to miss out on his three-year-old son's first time going to a University of Kentucky men's basketball game. So, he did what he had to do to be there.

After having to work late, the coal miner decided to rush straight to the game, still dressed in his work garb and boots and covered head-to-toe in black coal dust.


While his family didn't think anything of it, the sight of the coal miner and his son in the stands struck a deep chord with Kentucky head basketball coach John Calipari.

Hot Stories

He shared a snapshot (taken by Kentucky fan Sue Kinneer) of the father-son duo on his social media pages, in the hopes of discovering his identity.

The picture went viral.

The Powerful Photo That Has Captivated the Internet

basketball team stacking hands
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio

Calipari tweeted that his own family’s American dream began in a coal mine in West Virginia, and the picture hit home. He added that he wanted to locate the family to give them tickets and the “VIP” treatment at Kentucky's Rupp Arena.

His tweet worked. Mollie McGuire responded to the tweet: "This is my husband Michael McGuire with our son Easton!” and the two connected via a phone call.

Calipari shared part of their conversation with CNN: "And Mollie's comment to me is, 'My husband is humble. He's hard-working. This is hard work, but he makes enough being there that I don't have to work. And he's a great father. He's done this many times.’"

RELATED: Fallen Sheriff's Son Loses Auction For Father's Old Car -- Then The Most Unexpected Thing Happens

McGuire's response to all of the attention is further proof of just how humble he is. He was at work underground when the news took off and had no clue he had become an internet sensation.

"When I got out and got service on my way home, it went crazy ... I couldn't believe it was real," he said.

“It’s normal for us,” Mollie told The Athletic“It’s nothing for us to go out to eat or him to come to our son’s tee-ball games or family events covered in coal dust … So we’ve just gotten used to it, coal dust everywhere. We’re kind of proud of it. It’s just what you’ve got to do around here to make a living.”

How One Dad Proved the Importance of Showing Up

McGuire works for Excel Mining (Alliance Coal). He had been on the job since 4:45 am on the day of the basketball game and was late coming off of a 12-hour shift. It was a choice between going home to shower and thereby missing part of the game, or being there with his son. To him, there was no choice.

He showed up for his son.

"He is an employee of Excel Mining (Alliance Coal) and works hard to provide for our family," Mollie wrote in a Facebook post. "It doesn’t matter to him how long he has worked or how hard his day is, he is always there and shows up for our babies! He is the most selfless man ever and always puts his family first!"

RELATED: Dad Stands Up To School After Outrageous Decision To Stop Giving Lunches To Children Because Of Debt

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. I think it's safe to say this one is worth 10,000 more.

It tells the story of a father who works hard for his family. It shows a diehard Kentucky basketball fan wanting to share his love of the game with his 3-year-old son. It shows a parent creating memories that will last a lifetime.

But more than anything, it speaks to the power of showing up for your kids, no matter what.

KEEP READING:

Son Brings Dad To Tears By Revealing He Secretly Paid Off His Mortgage To Retire Him

Why Jennifer Hudson Forgave Her Mother's Killer -- Life Stories By Goalcast

At the peak of her career, Jennifer Hudson faced a horrific family tragedy. Hudson's mother and brother were brutally attacked in their family home, and her seven-year-old nephew was kidnapped. What followed was a heart-wrenching manhunt to rescue her nephew and seek justice against the man who took her family. Hudson speaks from the heart in this video on what happened to her family and how she was able to move forward.

Celebrities
People smiling in unison united
Racism Quotes

Racism is considered the marginalization and/or oppression of people of color based on a socially constructed racial hierarchy that privileges another race. The term is applied in many areas of a society that perpetuates discrimination on the basis of race or strengthen racial inequalities in education, health care, income, and civil rights.

Ever since the 20th century, the concept of biological race is considered a cultural invention that has no scientific basis. The progress over the past half-century has been impressive, but the nation still has a long way to go to reach true racial equality.

Keep ReadingShow less
Everyday Heroes
hands are put together as part of community volunteer efforts
Photo by Hannah Busing on Unsplash

A community is so much more than people sharing a space. It's a living, breathing network of connections and shared experiences. While it's usually defined as “a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common,” true community runs much deeper than that.

Diversity

Keep ReadingShow less
Quotes