I'm all about being fair, neutral and unbiased and can completely understand the reasoning behind this young man desiring to be on the feild with his brethren but...
C'mon now, we're talking football here and they place this young man on the "punt return" squad? My only source is what I've read on this thread as well so, what was his role? Did he block and how? Was it above or below the waist? Was he merely "on the field" during the play and was he fully expected to compete with the other players?
How could a gunner be expected to hit this young man? I couldn't.
And what about in a few months??? Will he be point guard or posting up on the varsity basketball squad as well?
Title 9 is a big part of my life since I have 2 daughters who went to college on
VB scholarships. But I would never allow my daughter to play on a mens team. Right or wrong, I simply wouldn't.
Same with this young man. I wouldn't want him to compete on the field, one for his safety and two because it isn't fair to him OR others.
My nephew/god son has spinal bifada(?) and is confined primarily to a wheel chair but can walk for short periods. Hazed and razed in school he finally found his "spot" with wheel chair basketball and competitive racing in his chair. Now he'll be graduating HS and he has never once missed playing sports with the other "normal" kids. He'd tell you he loves what he does. He has found his place and is extremely happy and proud of all his medals and accomplishments. They are no different than the accomplishments of a fully-abled person either.
I won't even go into my family's efforts with the Special Olympics and those young kids and adults. Should they be allowed to run on the punt return as well? If they tried to make a block do you just allow them to take you out of the play or do you hammer them just as hard as a fully-abled person? Again, I couldn't but maybe others could hit them hard and sleep well at night.
My nephew is a great young man as well but I wouldn't want to see him geared up on a varsity football field just because he wanted to compete on "the same level". He'd could get seriously hurt since he can't run normally, and this young man from Ohio could as well.
Then what about the player who puts the hit on him?
I respect his dreams, goals and desires but there are some things which will always be out of reach.
Hate to be negative on such an inspiring story but where does it end?
My hat's off to all involved and I wish this young man well. No doubt he'll go on to accomplish great things. Congrats to you son. Keep the Faith.
WM