Kooiman and her youngest son. (via Arena Five blog)
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Chad McLoughlin remembers when he was just a kid going to Milwaukee Brewers games. He also remembers the disappointment of leaving those games empty-handed. And that feeling is partially what motivated him to commit the random act of kindness that turned into a viral blog post from a mom whose boy was at the receiving end of that kindness.
Young Isaiah and the mystery man. (Via Arena Five blog)
On Tuesday, Sarah Kooiman explained to TheBlaze the story that has received hundreds of thousands of hits on her blog. After bringing her husband and three young boys to a Brewers game on Sunday, a "mystery man" -- later revealed to be McLoughlin -- took one of the boys, Isaac, under his wing and made it his mission to get the youngster a foul ball. When it didn't work out, McLoughlin surprised the boy with a ball he purchased at the park.
Kooiman's Monday blog post on the story went viral, but there was just one problem: She didn't know the man's name. That all changed within hours, and by Wednesday morning the man himself was speaking out.
"I didn't think it was that big of a deal," McLaughlin told Newsradio 620 WTMJ. The young man currently works at an elementary school for the summer before he returns to college in the fall.
And while he doesn't think it's a "big deal," he did share with the radio station a story that offers a glimpse into his motivations.
"What happened with me when I was younger, I was actually at [the old Brewers park] County Stadium, with a family friend -- I was sitting next to him," he said. "It was when the Brewers were playing the Cubs. Sammy Sosa was in right field. After warmups, he'd throw the ball up, and I never got it. I had my glove ready every single time. I don't know-- I know how the little kid felt."
So how does he feel about all the attention?
"I'm honored that people see it that way, but it also somewhat bothers me a little bit that something so small made such a big deal, when this should be more common in every day society."
As for the Kooiman family, their story has been featured not only on TheBlaze, but also on local news. In fact, Sarah and Isaac made the evening broadcast and her interview with TheBlaze was featured in the background.
Kooiman and her youngest son. (via Arena Five blog)
So does McLoughlin, the man now synonymous for kid kindness, want any little ones of his own?
"Yeah, not soon though."
But something says he's already on his way to being a great dad.
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