When Mitchell McKee's father, Steve, was diagnosed with terminal cancer, he knew that he had to do anything to make his dad proud. For him, that was winning match after match until the Class 3A State High School Wrestling Championship. And then, he hoped and prayed to take the title of the Minnesota state champion.
"I prayed 'God help me win this match' so I can go win a state title for my dad," the St. Michael Albertville High School sophomore said.
And Mitchell won all the matches he needed to reach the final. His opponent? Malik Stewart, a Blaine High School sophomore — and current title holder.
The final was over in just one minute, after Mitchell pinned Malik down and claiming the title. The match may have been over, but the most inspiring moment was yet to come.
Malik could have walked away after losing. But he didn't and, in an incredible show of sportsmanship and compassion, hugged Mitchell and congratulated him on his important victory.
"He won. He was pretty proud, and his dad was pretty proud. So I went over there and I shook his hand, embraced him a little bit, and told him to stay strong and everybody loves him."
He also shook hands with Mitchell's coaches. Then he went to the stands and hugged the ailing father.
Malik says that he heard people in the stands approve of his actions, but he says he did it "straight from the heart." Malik's own father passed away from a heart attack some years prior, and understood Mitchell's mission and the family's heartbreak.
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