Heartwarming story and video, football player with Down Syndrome

[reflection]

Apologies if duplicate, I searched and didn't see it.

I enjoyed this. I love it when people lift each other up, especially in a competitive sports setting.

Article and video:
http://backporch.fanhouse.com/2009/09/19/teen-with-down-syndrome-scores-touchdown-on-last-play-of-game/


Matt Ziesel is a freshman at St. Joseph Benton High School in Missouri who has Down syndrome. He participates on St. Joseph's football team, but he doesn't actually get into the games -- at least he didn't until the last play of the school's game on Monday at Maryville High School, when he was allowed to score a touchdown at the end of a blowout.

Maryville was beating Benton 46-0 with 10 seconds left, and at that point, Benton called timeout, and coach Dan McCamy ran across the field to ask the Maryville coaches for a favor. He tells the Kansas City Star:

"I've got a special situation," McCamy remembers telling Maryville freshman defensive coach David McEnaney. "I know you guys want to get a shutout. Most teams would want a shutout, but in this situation I want to know if maybe you can let one of my guys run in for a touchdown."

Sure enough, the Maryville team agreed -- "The players, they didn't hesitate at all. They jumped right on board," McCamy said -- and Ziesel was permitted to run 64 yards for a score as time expired.

(more at link)

[Dr. Strange]

1. Awesome story!

As an aside, Benton High is where Mike Rucker graduated from.
http://www.sjsd.k12.mo.us/Schools/Benton/indexhalloffame.htm

[reflection]

2. Didn't know that. Good one. Thanks. n/t

[KamaAina]

3. Pity they had to let him score, though

by contrast, Jason McElwain, the autistic Michael Jordan from Rochester, N.Y., drained three after three on his own, although, to be sure, the other team wasn't exactly going all-out to guard him.

Who knows? Maybe Matt could have scored on his own, maybe in a short-yardage situation.

[reflection]

5. I remember that exact story.

You're right. The kid was draining threes. One of the most inspiring things I've ever seen within the realm of sports.

I wish this kid could have done it on his own too, but yeah, he needed some help. We all do from time to time. :)

[flvegan]

4. They showed the video on my local news tonight.

This is a great story, and kudos to the opposing team/coach for giving it a go.