Coach Jay was doing an admirable job of staying positive as he shepherded the Flying Pancakes through the Valley of the Shadow of a 12 goal deficit. The opposing team had the 2nd Coming of Messi playing for them, and our squad was comprised of…well, regular 8 and 9 year old kids.

And after Young Messi scored his 15th goal, one of the goats who regularly attends our games frolicked onto the field. Maybe he was trying to distract the opposing team’s prodigy. Maybe he had watched the Pancakes’ performance and figured he could help the cause. Or maybe we’re all overthinking this…he’s just a goat.

But whatever the animal’s goat-ivation, Coach Jay, wearing his Customized Flapjack Visor, was able to recreate every Sunday School image of a shepherd carrying a sheep…except this time, it was a soccer coach carrying a pygmy goat off of the field.

On behalf of all the parents, players, and pets, thank you, Coach Jay. You truly demonstrated the Heart of a Shepherd this season, and you guided us to victories in the Game of Life that neither the scoreboard, platitudes, or pictures could ever fully convey.

As far as we’re concerned, Coach Jay, YOU are the actual G.O.A.T.