These students really know how to fight for their principal’s affection.
Students at a Georgia high school pranked their beloved principal on his birthday by pretending to have a fight, so he would come break it up and they could surprise him with a rendition of “Happy Birthday.”
In a now viral video, Principal Bobby Davis of Lakeview Fort Oglethorpe High School runs into the room where the fake brawl is happening and holds one of the students back by placing his arms around him.
As Davis turns around, he sees the crowd of faculty and students gathered, who are filming and clapping, and realizes it’s all a joke.
In a priceless reaction, he gleefully quickly jumps into the student’s arms, hugging him in the heartwarming clip — which racked up 5.7 million views on Facebook.
He then jumps into the other student’s arms, and eventually the two are holding Davis up as the school sings “Happy Birthday.”
De’Zayviun Watkins, who came up with the epic prank idea, wrote a touching tribute to Davis in the post’s comments section.
“He single handedly changed me for the better and he knows I could never take it for granted. The things he’s done during my time at LFO are truly memories i’d die with. I was so happy to come up with this idea and do it for him,” he wrote.
It is Davis’ first year as principal of LFO. The dad of three graduated from the school in 1994 and taught English there in 1999 and coached until 2005, and returned in 2023 as assistant principal, according to the school’s website.
The video sparked an outpouring of love from friends and strangers alike. Those who know Davis said the tribute was “well deserved.”
“Coach Davis is the man! He truly is a great dude,” one wrote.
“He is truly loved by those students,” another said.
Complete strangers also commented on the inspiring video.
“It’s ones like him that changes the kids lives. And I don’t even know him,” one wrote.
“This is why they say ‘not all heroes wear capes.’ What a legend!” another gushed.
Other said seeing the principal’s close relationship with his students brought them to tears.
“Ummm I cried when he jumped in his arms,” one said.
“Same,” another replied. “You can tell the kids love him and that matters so freaking much!”
“Girl same,” a third said.
“This is just so beautiful. You can feel the love.”
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