Some stories stay buried in high school yearbooks for decades, waiting for the perfect moment to be told. This is one of them – a tale that began in 1965 and continues to touch hearts at Franklin High to this day.
For 55 years, Mrs. Thompson quietly maintained the bleachers at Franklin High’s football stadium. Rain or shine, victory or defeat, she was there every Friday night, making sure every seat was clean for the next game. Most thought she was just dedicated to her job, but the truth runs deeper than anyone imagined.
“She was as much a part of Franklin High as the old scoreboard,” recalls Coach Miller, who’s been with the school since 1978. “Always wearing her blue cardigan with a small golden pin, always smiling, especially when passing the 1968 championship trophy.”
The mystery of her dedication remained untold until today, when she left behind a 1968 yearbook. On page 23, a photograph shows the homecoming court, but it’s what’s hidden behind that photo that finally reveals the truth.
“October 15, 1968,” the handwritten note reads. “Tonight, Franklin High made history. Not just because we won the state championship, but because of what happened at halftime. Tonight, my Tommy, despite being in a wheelchair, got to score the honorary touchdown that changed everything.”
Tommy Thompson was Mrs. Thompson’s son. In an era when disabled students were often hidden away, Franklin High’s football team and their legendary coach Jack Wilson made a decision that would shape the school’s spirit forever.
“Your son may not be able to walk,” Coach Wilson had said, “but tonight, he’s going to fly.”
At halftime, with the score tied, the entire team gathered around Tommy’s wheelchair. Together, they carried him and the ball across the field, creating a moment that brought every person in those bleachers to their feet.
That night, Franklin High didn’t just win a game – they won something far more precious. They showed that true victory isn’t measured by points on a scoreboard, but by the size of a community’s heart.
Tommy passed away in 1970, but his mother never left. “Every seat I clean,” she wrote, “is for someone who might need to witness a miracle, just like we did that night.”
The golden pin she always wore? It was Tommy’s honorary team captain badge, keeping his spirit alive through every Friday night light that has shone on Franklin Field since.
Today, Franklin High’s football program includes a special needs cheer squad, and every season opens with the “Tommy Thompson Honorary Touchdown” – a tradition that reminds us how a single moment of kindness can echo through generations.
What memories do you have of your high school’s Friday night lights? Share your stories in the comments below!