It is easy to browse sports headlines and find all the negative stories you can stomach. From drugs to murder, high school football headlines mirror the problems of society and I assume that media outlets focus on these stories because they pay the bills. I contend, however, that for every negative story that hits the front page there are 10 more inspirational and uplifting stories buried somewhere that will never see the light of day.
High School Football Teams and Coaches reflect what is “right” with this country. The following story is but one example of the positive waves that ripples through our country that start on a dusty high school football field. Ron Tarpley, Prep News Report
Meagles triumph over Bustangs
But scores didn’t matter to either team. The important thing on this day was the camaraderie shared between the Eleanor Roosevelt Mustangs football team and the students at Victress Bower School in Norco, CA. The Mustangs players represent some of the finest, well conditioned athletes in their area. The students from Bower have significant disabilities.
On this day, the football players split up and each was teamed with a wheelchair bound student from Bower. The schools mascots, the Mustangs and the Beagles, morphed into the Bustangs and the Meagles representing new partnerships in this new brand of high school football.
- Jenny Arias, left, and Mark English, right, score a touchdown. Varsity football players from Roosevelt High School in Eastvale came to Victress Bower School in Norco for kids 3 to 22 with severly disabilities to play a football game, teaching disabled kids a little about football and football players compassion and acceptance.
The football players had to maintain contact with their partner by keeping a had on the wheelchair or holding holding hands. The strong athletic bodies provided the mobility that Bower students do not have. The Bower students, in return, provided the young athletes with a greater understanding and appreciation for their healthy bodies.
As the game progressed, rules were often made up to keep things fun. One Bower student even got a flag for “illegal use of equipment” because his wheelchair brake wasn’t set!
The game, which Bower played with the Santiago High varsity team last year, was created by adaptive physical education specialist Valerie Rodholm to teach the special education students a little bit about football, Aldrian said. At the same time, high school football players learn to relate “to kids who have some pretty significant disabilities,” Aldrian said.
It is interesting to note that Roosevelt football coach Bill Stacy’s son Max, 4, attends Bower. In a touching gesture, The Mustangs will dedicate next season to Bower and host the host them at a home football game.
I hope some of you will share similiar stories about your local team.
Link to original story: Roosevelt High football players team up with disabled students | Riverside County | PE.com | Southern California News | News for Inland Southern California. Thanks to Dayna Straehley for covering this story.
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