Just Feet Away from Sure Victory
Many of you may have seen the video that went viral this week of the unlucky Atlanta Braves fan who ran out of gas right as he approached the finish line in the Braves’ “Beat the Freeze” promotion. The icy, Olympic-level sprinter passed the fallen fan just feet away from what would have been a sure victory for the fan.
But before the viral race, the viral fall, and the headlines that made millions laugh…
There was a courtroom.
There was a signature.
There was a family forever changed.
A Day That Changed Everything
On August 23, 2021, Stephen Moore and his wife Hope had waited nearly a year for this day: the finalization of their son’s adoption. After delays due to state laws and the COVID-19 pandemic, the moment had finally come to make their son, Bridges, officially part of the Moore family.
“It was one of the biggest moments of our lives,” Stephen shared. “We’d been waiting for so long. The paperwork, the court dates—it had all led to this.”
Later That Night… He Almost Beat the Freeze
That same afternoon, Stephen—affectionately known as “S’moore” around WinShape Camps—was tossing a baseball with his 3-year-old son at The Battery outside Truist Park when someone approached him with a challenge:
“Do you want to race The Freeze tonight?”
If you’ve ever been to a Braves game, you know about The Freeze—a spandex-clad, Olympic-level sprinter who gives fans a head start and then blows past them in front of thousands.
Stephen agreed. And for most of the race, it looked like he just might win. Until, just feet from the finish line, he fell. Hard.
The moment exploded online. Within hours, the video was on the MLB Instagram, ESPN’s SportsCenter, and news outlets across the country. Headlines read:
“Braves fan devastatingly bites the dust in home stretch against ‘The Freeze’ after tripping at finish line.” – USA Today
“Another fan fumbles chance to beat The Freeze in final seconds” – Deadspin
And maybe the worst of all…
“Braves fan forgets how legs work at the worst possible time.”- Yahoo Sports
The video from the epic fall racked up millions of views in places like the official MLB Instagram, the Bally Sports television broadcast and even found a spot on ESPN’s SportsCenter.
“I knew it was bad,” Stephen said. “But we were still on cloud nine from what had happened earlier that day. That’s what really mattered.”
If you’re a Braves or a Yankees fan, this story was heightened by the relevance of the game with two teams coming in with a 9-game win streak battling it out for victory. If you’re a Georgia sports fan, this story may bring back terrible memories of historic blown leads by your favorite teams in the final minutes. However, you may be surprised that this story was extra relevant for one group in particular — the WinShape Nation.
“Why,” you ask?
Well, that fan who (almost) Beat the Freeze — he’s one of ours!
The Man Behind the Fall
Meet WinShape Camps for Communities Director, Stephen Moore
What the internet didn’t know was that Stephen is more than just a Braves fan with a busted ego—he’s the Director of WinShape Camps for Communities, a nationwide day camp program that reaches thousands of kids each year.
Stephen Moore, affectionately known as “S’moore” around camp, is the Director of WinShape Camps for Communities and Director of Staff Development — our traveling day camp program that brings camp to cities across the country. He’s served with WinShape on and off since 2008, helping build teams, shape culture, and recruit thousands of summer staffers.
In his time at WinShape, he’s helped us recruit thousands of Summer Staff. Many of those “Formers” shared the video and reached out to Stephen after his fall to encourage his strong performance leading up to the less-than-ideal ending. This past summer was Stephen’s first summer directing the WinShape Camps for Communities team who wrapped up their Summer just a few weeks ago.
“I had so many people reaching out—laughing, sure—but also encouraging me. People I hadn’t talked to in years.”
From Embarrassment to Encouragement
Soon after the fall, a local news station, WSB-TV, reached out—not just about the race, but the bigger story behind the day. In an emotional on-air interview, Stephen and Hope shared their journey through adoption, hoping to encourage families walking through infertility or waiting for placement.
While Monday’s viral video was a pretty notable moment for Stephen.
What you may not know is that earlier in the day was an even bigger life event for the Moore family. Late in the summer of 2020, Stephen and his wife, Hope, found out that their adoption agency had matched them with a baby who would be coming in the next few months. By Fall 2020, the Moore family was excited to welcome baby Bridges into their home. Like with most adoptions though, the finalization process usually takes a little time to go through the court systems.
After delays due to working across state lines and navigating COVID-19, almost a year later the Moores got the news that they would get the chance to finalize Bridges’ adoption on August 23rd. Little did they know later that day Stephen would have his 15 minutes of fame, even if it wasn’t quite how he might have wanted it. That afternoon, Stephen was playing catch at The Battery with his 3-year-old son when he got asked if he’d be interested in racing The Freeze that evening. The rest, as they say, is history.
While the epic fall may not have been how Stephen envisioned that day ending, the Moore Family was able to turn it around for good when Atlanta TV affiliate WSB reached out to find out more about their significant day. What seemed like an epic fail turned into an opportunity to give hope to hundreds of families struggling with infertility.
Check out the interview:
[Click the image above or click here]
Why This Matters to WinShape
Stephen’s story reminds us that even a stumble—literal or otherwise—can become part of something greater.
His family’s adoption journey reflects the heart of our founder, S. Truett Cathy, who believed in building strong families and creating opportunities for children.
Whether on the field, in the courtroom, or around the campfire, God is always working—even in unexpected ways.
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