Deaf player aims for NFL
By Ryan Steele
STILLWATER NEWSPRESS (STILLWATER, Okla.)
STILLWATER, Okla. Only two deaf players have reached the National
Football League.
Bonnie Sloan suited up for the then-St. Louis Cardinals in 1973 and
Kenny Walker competed for the Denver Broncos in 1991-92. Oklahoma
State senior Martel Van Zant hopes to someday become the third.
And why not? Hes been beating the odds his entire life.
Van Zant was born deaf after his mother contracted chicken pox while
she was pregnant. That didnt stop him from emerging as one of the
top football prospects in Texas during his senior season at Lee High.
Van Zant, who uses sign language to communicate with coaches and
players, received offers from Texas A&M, Colorado, Southern
Methodist, Texas Christian and Arizona but decided to accept a
scholarship with the Cowboys (6-6) instead.
Its everything I thought it would be and more, Van Zant said
through his interpreter, Allie Lee. At first, I didnt even know I
was going to have a chance to go to college. Then to end up coming
(to OSU), it went by really quick.
The 6-foot-1 cornerback played in eight games as a true freshman and
earned four starts in 2005. Last season, Van Zant started in every
contest and recorded 67 tackles which ranked fourth on the team
and led the club with six pass break-ups.
It still amazes me to this day that he can play at this level and
not hear, especially in the secondary, said O-State coach Mike
Gundy. I think hes been a great part of what we stand for here.
Hes really meant a lot to our program, hes a tremendous person.
Senior Nathan Peterson added, You cant say enough about him, to see
someone overcome like he has. I dont know how he doesnt get
frustrated or upset, he is always so patient. He is always paying
attention and willing to learn. I think thats why he has had so much
success.
Van Zant doesnt let his disability keep him from being one of the
guys. Gundy said he even participates when the team has Rock Band
contests on the Xbox 360.
They were joking with him about how hes obviously going to have be
on drums and theres going to have to be something on there because
he cant hear, and they were giving him a hard time and I thought,
Well thats not good, the third-year boss added.
But he loves it because he makes fun of them because they cant
break on the ball. It works out good that hes able to be with the
fellas and be sane. They make fun of him because he cant hear, and
he makes fun of them because they cant tackle.
This season, Van Zant has been plagued by injuries he missed a pair
of games earlier this year because of turf toe and is expected to miss
Mondays Insight Bowl against Indiana in Tempe, Ariz., due to a
dislocated tendon in his ankle.
Its really frustrating, Van Zant said. I dont know why these
things happen but God is maybe giving me a chance to heal up or
prevent something else from happening, thats the way I look at it.
The senior will likely be going through rehabilitation by the time
the NFL scouting combine rolls around in February, and if a career in
the pros isnt in the cards, he will earn his sports management degree
in the spring and will possibly consider coaching youth football.
Ill be working with my hands in whatever I do, Van Zant said.
Well see what happens when the cast comes off.
Lee said he will miss the daily interaction with Van Zant once he
graduates.
I look it as being like brothers, but Martel calls me a second dad,
so I guess Im a little older than what I need to be, he added with
a laugh. Interpreting for Martel has been really special.
Link:
http://www.pryordailytimes.com/statenews/cnhinsall_story_363200142.html
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