I'd like to work with kids in special education - younger kids.

John Madden, the legendary coach and broadcaster, once spoke with surprising tenderness: “I’d like to work with kids in special education – younger kids.” In this brief yet powerful statement, he revealed a truth greater than championships and victories on the field. Here we see that the measure of greatness is not found only in the roar of the crowd or in the glory of trophies, but in the willingness to bend down and guide those who struggle, those who need the most patience, the most care, the most love. For in lifting the least, we practice the highest form of humanity.

The origin of this thought flows from Madden’s own life. Though known as a fierce competitor in football, he was also a teacher at heart. He understood that the essence of coaching is not commanding, but nurturing; not demanding perfection, but helping each player become the best version of themselves. To extend this spirit to special education is to acknowledge that every child, no matter their challenges, carries within them a spark worth kindling. Madden saw that true teaching is not for the strong alone, but for those who need the gentlest hand.

History bears witness to this truth. Consider the life of Anne Sullivan, who devoted herself to the education of Helen Keller, a child both blind and deaf. Many thought Helen was unreachable, lost in silence and darkness. But Sullivan’s patience, love, and relentless creativity unlocked Helen’s mind, bringing her into the world of language and thought. This miracle was not wrought by force, but by compassion. Just as Madden envisioned, working with younger kids in special education has the power to change destinies and to prove that no life is beyond hope.

We may also think of Maria Montessori, who revolutionized education by designing methods for children who struggled under traditional systems. Where others saw limits, she saw potential. Where others demanded conformity, she nurtured individuality. Her schools proved that when children, especially those with difficulties, are guided with respect and creativity, they flourish beyond expectation. In this, we hear the echo of Madden’s words: that there is greatness in serving the smallest and the weakest.

The meaning of Madden’s statement is therefore deeply moving: true greatness lies in service. It is easy to celebrate the talented, to work with the gifted, to shine in the company of those who already excel. But the noblest labor is to serve those whom the world overlooks, to pour energy into those who need it most. To choose special education is to declare that every child has value, every life has meaning, and that dignity is not earned by ability but given by existence.

The lesson for us is clear. Do not measure your worth only by the grand stages of life—the victories, the applause, the recognition. Seek also to serve quietly, where others do not look. Help those who cannot repay you. Teach those who struggle. Lift those who fall behind. In doing so, you will discover that service to the vulnerable is not a lowering of yourself, but a rising into your highest humanity.

Practical actions can guide us. Volunteer time in schools, especially with children who need special attention. Support programs that provide resources for special education. Show patience with the struggles of others, whether child or adult. And most of all, remember that in every soul, no matter how young or challenged, lies the potential for growth, joy, and greatness—waiting only for someone to believe in them.

So let Madden’s words echo not as the casual thought of a coach, but as a call to higher living: “I’d like to work with kids in special education – younger kids.” Carry this spirit into your own life. For when you serve those who struggle, you practice the deepest wisdom of all—that the measure of a life is not how high you rise, but how many you lift along the way.