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WATCH: High School Student With Cerebral Palsy Scores 80-Yard Touchdown
| By Margo Gothelf
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Meet Sepp Shirey, a high school football player with cerebral palsy who is inspiring all those around him.
Shirey, from Richmond, Va., has been playing football since he was in the fourth grade. During his last game, he was able to make his dream come true by scoring an 80-yard touchdown for Atlee High School.
“It’s something I can remember from my earliest time being a part of, and it’s something that, in my life right now, I enjoy more than anything,” Shirey told NBC 12 in regard to playing football.
Shirey’s parents were skeptical about him playing football with cerebral palsy at such a young age. However, Shirey was determined to persevere no matter what.
“She thought that tackle football and cerebral palsy might not go together so great, but actually [I] went around to my various doctors and pediatricians and all of them cleared me to play,” Shirey told NBC 12 when discussing his mom’s concerns.
Shirey did not really think about his differences until he got to middle school. However, he quickly put those feelings behind him and just focused on football.
“How do I look out there? Do I look weird to all these people who are watching me play?” Shirey told NBC 12. “I’ve put that behind me. I think I’ve just realized that this is just me, and there’s not any changing that, and I can be who I want to be despite having cerebral palsy.”
Shirey’s presence on the team is enough to keep the squad’s morale up. While he doesn’t play that often, he remains very dedicated to the team.
“Every time I think I’m tired, every time I think I gotta take a play off, I’m exhausted, I look over at him and he’s doing it all on his arms. That’s crazy. He’s easily the hardest worker on the team,” Hayden Moore, Shirey’s teammate, told NBC 12.
Shirey was able to show off all of his hard work when he scored a touchdown for his team. It was the longest distance the high school senior had ever run without his crutches.
This is sure to be a moment that Shirey will remember forever. Please SHARE this post to inspire all of your friends!
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