Youth sports are a wonderful way for kids to learn not just the rules of the game, but what it means to truly be a part of a team.
Bryan Berard, a former NHL player, was in the locker room when he witnessed a very special moment that he knew he had to share with the world. Bryan’s nephew, nine-year-old Brody Berard, is following in his uncle’s footsteps, playing hockey in their hometown of Woonsocket, Rhode Island. With Brody’s help, the Woonsocket North Stars had just defeated their opponents, the Capitals, in the final game of the season.
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Emotions were running high as the exhausted players sat in the locker room. Brody raised his hand and said he wanted to say a few words, so Bryan grabbed his phone and started recording.
What came next were some surprisingly deep sentiments from such a young kid.
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“I just want to say that I had a great season with all of you and I just want to say that I love every single one of you like brothers,”Brody said tearfully.
As he continued to talk, his voice cracked with emotion.
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As Brody tells his teammates how much they mean to him, he starts to openly cry. Soon, he’s got his head in his hands and is speaking through barely-contained sobs. It’s clear that he means every word he’s saying about how much he loves his team.
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“I love this team. I wish we could stay together. I’m just really happy that we beat the Capitals,”he continued. Then he started to clap, and the rest of the team joined in. One boy came over to give Brody a hug, and a man’s voice off-camera encouraged everyone to get up and give the boy a much-needed pile-on, too.
“Give him a hug, everybody. That’s what it’s all about, boys.â€
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Bryan’s video went viral on Instagram, earning over 20,000 views in its first day online. This is the sort of moment that kids will always remember, and not just because they won the game. They’ll always remember the bond they shared as teammates.
Watch Brody’s heartwarming speech below, and don’t forget to share!
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