One Good Thing: Special Olympian spreads message of love
In this photo provided by Gary Schottle, Derek "Tank" Schottle competes in the long jump as part of the Pentathlon competition at the Texas Special Olympics track meet in Arlington, Texas, on May 27, 2017. The Special Olympics, founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, have melded competition and inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities since the first games were held in 1968. Special Olympics has since branched out to 174 countries, empowering more than five million athletes who had often been cast aside.(Gary Schottle via AP)

In this photo provided by Gary Schottle, Derek "Tank" Schottle competes in the long jump as part of the Pentathlon competition at the Texas Special Olympics track meet in Arlington, Texas, on May 27, 2017. The Special Olympics, founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, have melded competition and inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities since the first games were held in 1968. Special Olympics has since branched out to 174 countries, empowering more than five million athletes who had often been cast aside.(Gary Schottle via AP)

Dec. 31, 2020 11:57 AM EST
In this photo provided by Gary Schottle, Derek "Tank" Schottle is joined by coaches and volunteers during a victory celebration at the Texas Special Olympics track meet in Arlington, Texas, on May 27, 2017. As a young boy, he was reserved, didn't really have any friends and was a target for mean-spirited kids. In the 20 years since he started Special Olympics, Tank has become a leader on the playing fields, the Houston area and beyond.(Gary Schottle via AP)

In this photo provided by Gary Schottle, Derek "Tank" Schottle is joined by coaches and volunteers during a victory celebration at the Texas Special Olympics track meet in Arlington, Texas, on May 27, 2017. As a young boy, he was reserved, didn't really have any friends and was a target for mean-spirited kids. In the 20 years since he started Special Olympics, Tank has become a leader on the playing fields, the Houston area and beyond.(Gary Schottle via AP)

Dec. 31, 2020 11:57 AM EST
In this photo provided by Gary Schottle, Derek "Tank" Schottle competes in the shot put as part of the Pentathlon at a Special Olympics track meet in Rosenburg, Texas, on April 8, 2017. Special Olympics changed everything for Tank. He blossomed into a leader, spreading love an inspiration to everyone he met. (Gary Schottle via AP)

In this photo provided by Gary Schottle, Derek "Tank" Schottle competes in the shot put as part of the Pentathlon at a Special Olympics track meet in Rosenburg, Texas, on April 8, 2017. Special Olympics changed everything for Tank. He blossomed into a leader, spreading love an inspiration to everyone he met. (Gary Schottle via AP)

Dec. 31, 2020 11:57 AM EST
In this photo provided by Gary Schottle, Derek "Tank" Schottle poses in the Athletes Village at the Texas Special Olympics in College Station, Texas, on October 21, 2011. “I love to spread love and hope for our country and our world," Tank said. “We should all love one another and bring hope and inspiration to other people.”(Gary Schottle via AP)

In this photo provided by Gary Schottle, Derek "Tank" Schottle poses in the Athletes Village at the Texas Special Olympics in College Station, Texas, on October 21, 2011. “I love to spread love and hope for our country and our world," Tank said. “We should all love one another and bring hope and inspiration to other people.”(Gary Schottle via AP)

Dec. 31, 2020 11:57 AM EST
ADDS THAT DEREK "TANK" SCHOTTLE WAS YOUNGER WHEN HIS FATHER SAW HIM BEING BULLIED AT SCHOOL - In this photo provided by Gary Schottle, Derek "Tank" Schottle competes in the 100 meter dash as part of the Pentathlon at a Special Olympics track meet in Rosenburg, Texas, on April 8, 2017. When Tank was younger, Gary Schottle arrived at the school in time to see the other kids in line hitting and jumping on his young son. Schottle had the same thoughts any other parents would, wondering how the kids could be so mean and why Derek didn't stick up for himself. Special Olympics changed everything for Tank. He blossomed into a leader, spreading love an inspiration to everyone he met. (Gary Schottle via AP)

ADDS THAT DEREK "TANK" SCHOTTLE WAS YOUNGER WHEN HIS FATHER SAW HIM BEING BULLIED AT SCHOOL - In this photo provided by Gary Schottle, Derek "Tank" Schottle competes in the 100 meter dash as part of the Pentathlon at a Special Olympics track meet in Rosenburg, Texas, on April 8, 2017. When Tank was younger, Gary Schottle arrived at the school in time to see the other kids in line hitting and jumping on his young son. Schottle had the same thoughts any other parents would, wondering how the kids could be so mean and why Derek didn't stick up for himself. Special Olympics changed everything for Tank. He blossomed into a leader, spreading love an inspiration to everyone he met. (Gary Schottle via AP)

Dec. 31, 2020 02:18 PM EST
In this photo provided by Gary Schottle, Derek "Tank" Schottle poses at the Texas Special Olympics where Tank and his father won the gold medal in a bocce tournament in College Station, Texas, on October 12, 2017. Tank, (29), has received local and national awards for being an advocate for Special Olympics and anti-bullying. He regularly gives speeches about love and hope. (Gary Schottle via AP)

In this photo provided by Gary Schottle, Derek "Tank" Schottle poses at the Texas Special Olympics where Tank and his father won the gold medal in a bocce tournament in College Station, Texas, on October 12, 2017. Tank, (29), has received local and national awards for being an advocate for Special Olympics and anti-bullying. He regularly gives speeches about love and hope. (Gary Schottle via AP)

Dec. 31, 2020 11:57 AM EST