Shane Lee found a spot to kneel on the grass Thursday evening and settled in to listen to Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh's post-practice speech.
He had no idea what was coming next.
"Honestly, tears just started rushing down my face," Shane said. "I was trying to hold the tears back.
"It was just a surreal moment," Shane added. "I'm looking [straight] ahead and I peek out the corner of my eye and both my parents are there."
Lee, an undrafted linebacker out of Southern California, couldn't believe who was standing in front of him.
Lee's father, Mark, suffered a massive heart attack at home on May 11. His wife, Tara, was on the phone with Shane at the time and sprang into action.
"I dropped dead in my driveway," said Mark, who is only 54 years old. "She resuscitated me back until the ambulance got there. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for my wife."
Tara recalled what went through her mind that day.
"I cannot let this man die on me," Tara said.
The past three months have been full of ups and downs for the Lee family.
Shane has worked on the field and in meeting rooms to try and make a strong impression on Harbaugh and his staff.
Mark, meanwhile, was bedridden for the first month after his heart attack and spent nearly two months in the hospital.
Mark only got cleared to travel a few days ago. When he did, Tara hatched a plan with Shane's agent to surprise him at practice. The pair flew in Wednesday night from Maryland.
"I've been in tears ever since we realized he'd be able to come out here. We wanted to surprise Shane at practice," Tara said. "We didn't expect to be able to come out on the field and speak to the team but it was beautiful."
Mark delivered a moving speech to the Bolts on Thursday ahead of their preseason opener on Saturday night. He received a standing ovation.
"Don't give up," Mark said of his message. "You're going to have trials and tribulations through life but stay focused and don't give up. Keep working hard and have strong faith."
Almost an hour after practice ended, Shane still couldn't believe what had just transpired.
"I tried to call them last night like I usually do but both their phones went to voicemail," Shane said. "I was like, 'Something is not right.'
"But I texted my brother and he said they were just asleep," Shane continued. "They threw me off guard a little bit."
"To my knowledge, he wasn't able to travel," Shane later added. "He's just now starting to walk on his own and stand up on his own. In the past two or three weeks, he's able to do more for himself. Flying and things like that were the last thing I was thinking about him doing. It was a great surprise."
Harbaugh said that Thursday was one of the Bolts practices in recent memory. But the presence of Mark and Tara afterward is what will stick out to him forever.
"The coolest part was Mark and Tara Lee being here. Mark had a medical emergency that would kill a lesser man back in May," Harbaugh said. "Shane's been dealing with that. [Mark] being here, I think Shane is going to play with the strength of 10 men on Saturday. Just the inspiration that I received, I feel like I'm going to coach with the strength of 10 men.
"Great dad, great mom and Shane's a great son," Harbaugh continued. "That was the highlight of my practice, just getting that inspiration and seeing him. Wonderful day."
Harbaugh later added: "It was one of those moments I'll remember till they throw dirt over top of me."
Shane concurred with Harbaugh's sentiments as the 23-year-old noted he will be extra fired up at 4:05 p.m. (PT) at SoFi Stadium.
"You do it for your family," Shane said. "I was already going to come out there and let it all loose.
"But knowing my parents are going to be there, it's added motivation if I ever needed any," Shane added.
Mark and Tara can't wait to see their son's NFL debut, especially considering all the family has gone through in recent months.
"We don't miss Shane's games," Tara said. "So, to be able to come out here for his first NFL game, it's huge."
"It's a dream come true," Tara later added. "When we see him [in uniform], it's going to be emotional."
There's a good bet Mark will be the proudest dad in the stands Saturday night.
"What runs through my mind when I'm doing physical therapy is getting stronger so I can travel out here so I can support my son," Mark said. "I know how hard he's worked to get here.
"He's not done yet," Mark added. "And neither am I."
