A lot can go wrong in a young man’s life if he doesn’t have good male role models.
But George Grimwade was blessed when his stepdad Michael Musto came into his life.
Michael married George’s mom when George was in the fifth grade and has raised him since he was in the second grade.
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They’ve always been extremely close and bonded over sports like football.
“It’s just how we’ve always communicated, through sports,” George told CBS Evening News.
George, who went on to play football for Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, wanted Michael to know just how special he was to him.
“It sounds weird calling him my stepdad because he’s always been my dad to me,” George explained.
So, he decided to take his stepdad’s last name as his own and carry on his father’s legacy.
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“He doesn’t have anyone to carry on his last name, and he raised me ever since I was in second grade,” he told FOX 8. “I feel like I owe it to him to carry on his last name when I hopefully have kids. I just want his legacy to live on forever. I don’t want it to end with him.”
Not only did he change his name on his football jersey, but he also changed his name legally. He decided to spring the news on his dad during a football game he was playing in.
Michael had no idea what was going when the 6’ft 8 offensive linemen for Sandford Bulldogs ran out to his father on the side of the field.
“He’s got two papers in his hand, I don’t know what he’s doing,” Michael told CBS.
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George began his explanation with “You know how much I love you right?”
His dad said “yeah.”
“And how I always treasure the time I have with you?” he went on.
His dad said “yeah.”
“And how you’re my world,” George continued.
His dad was silent.
“I got my last name changed. Look at my jersey,” George said flinging himself around to show his dad.
His dad immediately grabbed him tight in a big hug and started audibly bawling.
“When I saw my name on that jersey it was like: ‘Wow, this kid really loves me.’ I couldn’t get the words out of my mouth. Took my voice away,” Micheal explained. “He’s just the best.”
Everyone around them was also bawling.
“That was the ultimate way to show him how I love him, was to do this,” George said tearing up.
George says that he is everything he is because of his parents.
“I love you so much and you really do mean the world to me,” George, whose new name is George Grimwade Musto, said. “You and mom are the reason I’m together and I’m so happy I can take on that last name with mom and to really feel I’ve become one with our family. I’m also really grateful that I get to carry on your last name for you. I hope I treat it well.”
Samford University Athletics made a video for their YouTube page interviewing George and telling the family’s story.
That video ended up being viewed more than 70,000 on YouTube.
“I’m not crying my eyes are just sweating,” wrote one YouTuber.
“George, if you’re reading this: Your father raised a fine young man. What a great way to honor him! I was going to say God bless you both but I realized God has blessed you both. (Look at all these dudes losing it!),” wrote another.
You can watch this touching moment in the video below.
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