The 5th Quarter

In the midst of the horrific scandal that rocks Penn State I came across this movie that is in stark contrast to the happenings in Pennsylvania. It’s the story of the Abbate Family who lost their 15 year old son, Luke, in a senseless car accident.  It depicts how their lives and spirits were shattered and their struggle to glue back together the pieces of their lives.  And while the news has been filled with what is the worst possible side of college athletics, the movie “The 5^th Quarter” is an example of what is the absolute best.

It tells the story of how Luke’s brother, John, helped lead the Wake Forrest football team to its best season and an ACC Championship.  All the while, remembering Luke and dedicating this season to him.  The team and the Wake Forrest community shared in the support of John’s grief and displayed it each 4^th quarter.  When the 4^th quarter arrives, teams will raise up 4 fingers to recognize the last quarter of the game.  Well, Luke’s, jersey number was 5 and it became the number that the Wake Forrest team would raise up as well as the supporters in the stands.  With many last minute wins and suspenseful final moments, it seemed as though the 5^th quarter was indeed special for the team.

The final scene of the movie comes after WF wins the ACC championship game and a woman comes to the Abbate home.  She is the person whose life was saved by receiving Luke’s heart in a transplant.  Luke’s father weeps as he places his ear to listen to Luke’s heart beat within the woman’s chest.

The acting is marginal, and the story may be excessively sentimental.  But after listening to the reprehensible reports about college sports this week it was good to see an occasion where a team, a school, and a family all come together in grief, in support, and in triumph.  I’m sure this “based on a true story” has plenty of poetic license with its portrayal.  However, I choose to believe that the events took place exactly as it was shown on the screen.  I think we’re all better for it if it did indeed happen just that way.

Here is a poem that was read within the movie as well as a link to the Luke Abbate Foundation

“I’ll lend you for a while a child of mine,” He said.
“For you to love the while he lives and mourn for when he’s dead.
It may be six or seven years, or twenty-two or three,
But will you, till I call him back, take care of him for me?
He’ll bring his charms to gladden you, and should his stay be brief,
You’ll have his lovely memories as solace for your grief.”

“I cannot promise he will stay; since all from earth return,
But there are lessons taught down there I want this child to learn.
I’ve looked the wide world over in My search for teachers true
And from the throngs that crowd life’s lanes I have chosen you.
Now will you give him all your love, not think the labor vain,
Nor hate Me when I come to call to take him back again?”

“I fancied that I heard them say, “Dear Lord, Thy will be done!
For all the joy Thy child shall bring, the risk of grief we run.
We’ll shelter him with tenderness, we’ll love him while we may,
And for the happiness we’ve known, forever grateful stay;
But should the angels call for him much sooner than we’ve planned,
We’ll brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand!”

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