Video goes viral of Taft seniors surprising employees who influenced them

CINCINNATI – More than 10 million people have seen a video of local soccer players surprising their favorite teachers or staff members with their jerseys before senior night.

Taft High School athletic director Austin Gullett posted a two-minute video on TikTok in which each of the team's senior football players selects a staff member to honor and wear their jersey at their final game of the season.

“From security to teachers to administrators, no matter what title you hold, you never know who you can influence,” Gullett said in the caption. “Every day we come to work is an opportunity to make a difference, and these employees have changed these young men’s lives for the better!”

Each staff member has their own unique reaction – from jumping up and down to hugging or hitting the student with their fist.

@austintgullett In honor of Senior Day tomorrow, our senior football players have selected a staff member who has had a positive impact on their lives to wear their jersey at tomorrow afternoon's game. From security guards to teachers to administrators, no matter what title you hold, you never know who you may influence. Every day we come to work is an opportunity to make a difference, and these employees have changed these young men's lives for the better! WE ARE TAFT!!! 💚💛 #SeniorNight #Jersey #teacherappreciation #healthy ♬ Emotional – Bang Nono

The video went viral on TikTok, garnering 10 million views and nearly 2 million likes.

“I literally cried my eyes out before work,” one commenter said. “That was so beautiful.”

The post made its way to well-known brand accounts like Barbie and the NFL.

“crying ❤️🥹,” the NFL’s TikTok page commented.

Taft won their Senior Night game, defeating Woodward 57-0. Let's hope we get an updated video of the staff cheering on the boys.