[EXHALES]
How are you doing, sir?
Doing good, man.
- This an amazing game or what? - Absolutely.
It was awesome.
Your family is awesome.
They're having the time of their lives, man.
This couldn't be more perfect. - Sweet.
MATT ROGERS: So are you ready to see them?
Absolutely. Put me in, Coach.
I'm ready. - [LAUGHS] All right, brother.
It's almost time.
Next time I see you will be on the field, all right?
Sweet.
Have a good game.
MICHAEL EATON: I'm waiting to go out on the field.
My stomach was all over the place.
My nerves were spiking.
The anticipation was just completely overwhelming.
ANNOUNCER: Ladies and gentlemen, the Raider Nation
proudly honors all of our veterans
and the brave men and women who are deployed across the globe.
At this time, we proudly salute Sergeant
First Class Michael Eaton.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
It meant the world to me to see him,
because I missed my dad at that moment more than I can say.
ANNOUNCER: Sergeant Eaton is currently serving our country
overseas in Afghanistan.
It wrenched at my heart a little bit.
My knees started to shake because I
felt really emotional because I really miss my dad a lot.
ANNOUNCER: Joining us in the stands today
are Sergeant Eaton's wife and kids.
Let's give them all a big round of applause.
MICHAEL EATON: I just wanted to sprint to where they were.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
ANNOUNCER: Ladies and gentlemen, please
welcome to the field Matt Rogers and a very special field goal
challenge with the family of Sergeant
First Class Michael Eaton.
I was just nervous, just hoping that I would
make it without losing it.
[LAUGHS]
Thank you, Raider Nation.
With me right now is the Eaton family.
Unfortunately, one member of their family
is not standing up here with them today.
And that's their dad, Michael.
He's been gone for the past 10 months defending our freedom.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
MICHAEL EATON: Here I am in front
of a packed house at the coliseum,
and this was for me and my kids.
It was this incredibly powerful moment.
This big dog right here is Mackenzie.
They call him Big Mac.
So here you go, brother.
Give it a shot.
I just wanted the ball to get over the crossbar.
That's all I wanted.
I just wanted that to happen just so I could be like,
yes, I kicked a field goal for my dad in our NFL game,
especially at the Raiders' coliseum.
All right big, Mac.
On you, brother.
Come on, get [INAUDIBLE].
BOY: [INAUDIBLE]
[CHEERING]
Yeah, baby.
Yeah!
All right!
[INAUDIBLE]
MACKENZIE: And the whole stadium started roaring for me.
the only thing that ran through my head
is, I wish my dad was here.
[CHEERING]
MICHAEL EATON: The adrenaline was pumping.
I was ready to get to my kids.
MATT ROGERS: I want to tell everyone a little something
about this family.
They really love and miss their dad.
And they really hate the fact that he's been so far away.
Well, kids, he's a lot closer than you think.
Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming home,
in a surprise return from Afghanistan,
our holder and these kids' dad, Sergeant
First Class Michael Eaton!
[CRYING]
MICHAEL EATON: I love you all.
It was the best moment of my life when I saw him.
I was feeling like a little kid who had just woken up
on Christmas morning, but the big old box under the tree
was mine.
This is definitely something I'll remember forever.
WOMAN: Our hero was finally home.
It's just all us again.
It was priceless.
It was a moment that you don't forget.
[INAUDIBLE]
MACKENZIE: I missed you so much, Dad.
MICHAEL EATON: For the last 10 months,
I've been a missing puzzle piece.
And in that moment, I was complete.
To create that memory for my kids, as a whole, was just--
can't put a price tag on it.
MATT ROGERS: Sergeant First Class Michael Eaton,
on behalf of your beautiful family
and a very grateful Raider Nation, welcome home, sir.
[CHEERING]