Every year in fall, Alabama’s Samford University hosts a family weekend that coincides with a home football game. It’s a celebratory occasion with a sense of community and new beginnings. And it was one particularly special weekend for George and his stepfather Michael.
With families of students pouring in at the beginning of October for a fun-filled weekend of activities and a big football game, there is a good atmosphere on campus. One football player, a senior offensive lineman for the Samford Bulldogs, had a surprise in store for his stepdad and family.
George Grimwade’s mother met and married Michael Musto when George was in just second grade. Michael raised George like his own son, and George came to love Michael as his own father. “It sounds weird calling him my stepdad as he’s always been my dad to me,” George said in a video shared by the university.
Michael had no previous children, and since George felt so much like his son, he decided to surprise his stepdad in a very special way at family weekend. Four weeks earlier, George arranged to legally change his name. “I decided to change my name from George Andrew Grimwade to George Grimwade-Musto,” he said in the video where he shares his story and explains to Michael how much he loves him.
He applied to have his name legally changed, and waited almost almost up until the family weekend. By the time the game rolled around, he had the papers, and it became official. He kept the secret up until the day of the game, when he showed the papers to Michael. Talking to his family on the sidelines, he bends down to Michael’s ear and says: “You know how much I love you, right?…I got my last name changed.”
George shows the papers to a shocked Michael, who seems unable to say anything for a moment. “Look at my jersey,” says George, turning around to show his stepdad the newly stitched ‘MUSTO’ on his football shirt. Michael looks overwhelmed, then stretches his arms out to embrace his son.
The two share a hug as Michael is overcome with emotion at the amazing gift he has been given. George then embraces other family members before heading out onto the field for the game, proudly showcasing his new surname.
“He doesn’t have anyone to carry on his last name and he raised me,” George explained, as he hopes to one day have his own children and carry on that name. His Instagram handle reflects the name change, a decision he is clearly happy with.
The video was shared on Samford’s site as well as their Twitter page and George’s Instagram page, where it has received thousands of likes, shares, and messages of love about the simple yet powerful act. Watch it below.
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