In John Grisham's novel "Bleachers," Coach Eddie Rake proves to be a good man by helping the community, the school, and his players. He also denies anything but greatness from his players, but is willing to help them reach it by any means possible. Coach Rake shows his kindness by getting the school integrated successfully without any trouble, and volunteering in the community during the summer. Eddie Rake proves himself a good man by contributing to the community in more ways than one. First, he holds fishing rodeos for underprivileged children with no fathers. This shows Coach Rake's true character and how he does care for those that others do not. Reverend Collis Suggs speaks of Rake's generosity when he says, "He opened his home to abandoned and abused children. He never made much money as a Coach, but he was generous when someone needed food or clothing or even tuition" (216). Again Coach displays his love for children and how he could never turn one away. In addition to all of those, Coach Rake would also coach youth teams during the summer. The only time Coach Rake had off from coaching was during the summer he spent by coaching younger kids in a youth league which exemplifies his goodness. Coach Rake confirms that he is a good man by taking his own time and using it to help all kinds of children.
Eddie Rake not only takes time to better the community, but he also loses a lot of his time to supporting the high school in other ways than football. Once the school becomes integrated there is not enough band uniforms for the African American students, so Eddie Rake gets the boosters to buy new uniforms for everyone. This act of selflessness shows Coach Rake's true identity of justice and equality. A similar situation occurs with the cheerleaders after integration, and Coach Rake goes to the principal and to tell him, "half and half would work just fine" (214). Yet again Rake demonstrates how much he values justice and how he will always stand up for the little guy.
