It was absolutely pouring, and I was keeping my fingers crossed. Perhaps they will come to their senses and cancel the game in the mud. My crew and I set up outside the visiting Jersey Shore press box. We were huddled under a pop-up tent that was doing its best to protect us from the damp and windy cold. It was miserable. I am getting too old. The rains continued, and we were about to go online. My hands were freezing, and I totally butchered my opening lines. My pregame notes were waterlogged. I had no rhythm. My headset wasn’t working. My partner Drae Lewis and I did our best. But we were struggling. It was going to be a long night.

And then it happened. I noticed a number 20 in orange. A young man in blue jeans was lumbering to mid-field with some help. I recognized him immediately. It was Caleb Leone. His story and recovery are off the charts. I was shocked and thrilled to see him. I began giving him some love — what a surreal moment. Everyone was moved. “This is awesome. That kid has been through so much. I will tell you what Drae, if this doesn’t give you goosebumps. There is something wrong.”

Caleb Leone suffered a severe brain injury in a helmet-to-helmet hit during a football practice a few years back. He was immediately flown to Geisinger Medical. Doctors removed a portion of his skull to help the young man. Caleb was in a coma for nearly two months, and his parents said he was touch and go for the first nine days. He experienced many complications, but his family believes his football conditioning is what kept him alive. Several of Caleb’s motor skills were damaged. He basically had to start over. Slowly after months and months of rehabilitation, Caleb regained some of his everyday functions. He still uses a chair, but Caleb continues to progress. I can only imagine the hardship and struggles of the Leone family since that hit.

“It was amazing,” Danielle Leone described. “So emotional. It was an experience we never thought Caleb would get. To see him back on the field. Combined with him being able to walk out for the coin toss was incredible. His smile said it all.”

“Caleb and I played together my freshman year.” Senior Cayden Hess explained. “We all vividly remember that unfortunate day. His accident made us realize how fast things can change. Caleb is back in school now, and I have been helping him out. I wanted him to have an opportunity to be able to walk out on the field on a senior night. The boosters wanted to honor Caleb in some way, and I thought it would be a great idea for him to be one of our captains. He is an inspiration to everyone. Caleb has worked so hard. He deserves this.”

“I would like to thank Cayden Hess in particular,” Leone continued. “It was his idea. He helps in Caleb’s gym class, and they have really bonded. The fact that Cayden wanted to include Caleb in this special moment still has me speechless. For the teams and coaches to allow our son to walk out was something we will never forget.”

Cayden Hess is an absolute stud. I know his mom and dad quite well. The senior wide receiver will go down as one of the area’s all-time greats. Cayden was an All-State selection the previous two seasons. I also like his chances in 2022. Hess has 175 career receptions. Well over 2,500 yards. 28 touchdowns. Jersey Shore now enters the District 4 playoffs, and Hess’ numbers will continue to grow. Cayden is a great kid. All of these stats and accolades are nice, but having the idea to honor his friend Caleb is why I am such a huge fan. Great stuff, folks. There is a lot more to it. Beautiful story. Kudos to you, too, Caleb. Amazing kid. Keep up the good work. Cheers. #20strong.