For the love of the game: Three El Paso football players overcome deafening disability
October 14, 2014
EL PASO, TX (KTSM) — High school football is a long standing tradition in Texas, and also in the Borderland.
Local kids often grow up picturing themselves playing under the Friday night lights. A group of high school players here in El Paso isn’t letting anything stand in their way.
“I love to play football,” said sophomore running back/corner back Jorge Frias.
Frias plays for the Burges High School Mustangs Junior Varsity Football team. He’s been playing football since middle school, and like many of his teammates, it’s what he’s always wanted to do.
“As a little kid, I’m sure most of them growing up, they wanted to play football,” said Head Football Coach Marcus Graham.
However, there is something that sets Frias apart from most of his teammates.
“I can’t hear the coach calling the plays,” said Frias.
He and two others on the team are partially or completely deaf.
“They’re not using their disability as an excuse. They come out and work hard every day just like everyone else,” said Coach Graham.
Jorge, his teammates, and his coach aren’t letting their disability stop them from playing the game they love. They find a way to make it work.
“I am deaf, but the hearing boys, they learn how to sign and they pick up some of my signing and they tell me how to move,” said Jon Ronquillo, defensive end.
Out on the field you’ll also see Kenneth Kurita signing the plays, interpreting the coach’s every word.
Although Kurita said the kids can read lips, playing the game still comes with its challenges.
“Sometimes I can’t hear and I have to watch the ball and follow the ball,” said Jerry Molinar, defensive end, but adds there is one thing he has learned to ignore, “A lot of the deaf kids, every time they get hurt, they listen to the pain, and so you need to ignore the pain and just keep on playing.”
Like most high school football players, these kids have their own goals: three familiar letters every player dreams of.
“He (Jon) wants to join the NFL and play for the Cowboys,” said Kurita, interpreting Jon’s sign language.
These players know exactly what it will take to get there.
“Run hard. Hit hard and practice good,” said Frias.
Burges High School offers a Deaf Education Program in the El Paso Independent School District.
SOURCE:
http://www.ktsm.com/news/love-game-three-el-paso-football-players-overcome-deafening-disability
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Silence on the Grid Iron
October 20, 2014
(KTSM) High school football is a long standing tradition in Texas, where kids often grow up picturing themselves playing under the Friday night lights.
One group of high school players in El Paso isn’t letting anything stand in their way of achieving that dream.
“I love to play football,” says sophomore running back/corner back Jorge Frias.
Frias plays for the Burges High School Mustangs Junior Varsity Football team. He’s been playing football since middle school, and like many of his teammates, it’s what he’s always wanted to do.
“As a little kid, I’m sure most of them growing up, they wanted to play football,” says Head Coach Marcus Graham.
However, there is something that sets Frias apart from most of his teammates.
“I can’t hear the coach calling the plays,” he explains.
He and two others on the team are partially or completely deaf.
SOURCE:
http://www.myhighplains.com/story/d/story/silence-on-the-grid-iron/24752/LwZS49vg4Ei8UpA54g8Omw
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