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HELENA, Ala. — A ninth-grade football player had the surprise of a lifetime.
Fred Grooms was at centerfield before a recent game for the traditional coin toss.
But the ceremony was nothing like the usual one since one of the referees wasn’t part of the usual crew.
Instead, it was Grooms’ dad who had been deployed with the Army for a year, WVTM reported.
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One referee told the players to look at the faces of the officials, so they would get to know them for the game. That was when Grooms realized his father was among the officiating crew.
The reunion was caught on camera and shared on Helena High School’s Facebook page.
9th grade Husky Fred Grooms got a big suprise from Army Father Returning after being away a year. Thank you for your service Mr Grooms and we are glad you are home! @AHSAAUpdates @WBRCsideline @abc3340sports @RickKarle @cbs42 @Helena_AL_HAA
Posted by Helena_HS_Sports on Monday, October 18, 2021
The father and son quickly went into a long hug that ended with applause from the stands.
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