toddyboman Posted September 22, 2009 Report Share Posted September 22, 2009 Down syndrome could not stop Matt Ziesel from reaching the end zone last week. Monday, September 21, 2009 By: Stephen Spiewak MaxPreps.com Matt Ziesel's debut on the freshman football team at Benton (St. Joseph, Mo.) will not soon be forgotten. The 5-foot-3, 110-pounder has Down syndrome, but charged 62 yards for a touchdown during a game last Monday night. Ziesel is the son of Mike Ziesel, former basketball coach and current athletic director for Benton. He says that Down syndrome affects each child differently. According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, one out of 800 children is born with Down syndrome. “Every kid has a different form or level of disability,” he said. “Matt has been diagnosed not necessarily as mild, but with a milder form of Down syndrome. His biggest problem is his speech. He doesn’t talk very well.” That’s never hampered his love of sports, and his affection for being around high school athletics. When he was younger, Mike would bring him on the sidelines, where he was embraced by the Benton players. “He loves being around kids, and the high school kids have loved him for years,” Mike said. “The kids have really been great to Matt, and they’ve watched out for him.” This was never more apparent than last Monday, when a small gesture of kindness turned into a magnificent flood of support that came from well outside the town of 800. With the freshman football game out of reach and victory secured for Maryville, Benton freshman head coach Dan McCamy decided it was time for a special play not found in any other playbook. He called it the “Matt Play.” McCamy had a discussion with the coaching staff at Maryville, explaining his intention to give Matt what, for any other player, might just be a meaningless snap as the clock ran down. Up to that point, Maryville had been shutting out Benton. However, the Spoofhounds’ staff graciously agreed to let Matt run wild on their defense. With the consent of Maryville, McCamy called on Matt to take the handoff of his life. As he came around the outside and sprinted down the sideline, the Maryville defense ran toward him, making his experience as real as possible. So real, in fact, that Matt bit his lip during the play. As No. 45 made his memorable run, teammates on both the field and the sideline ran beside him. They weren’t there to block, but to provide another type of protection, the type that the Benton community has provided for years. “You’ve got to understand our community — not just Benton High School — and the support and values system most of these people have,” Mike said. As soon as Matt crossed the goal line, his teammates celebrated with him like they would any other player. It’s ironic that the has become a YouTube sensation, because it was never intended for the Internet. “It really wasn’t intended to be that way,” Mike said. “Danny (McCamy) didn’t put it on there to get any publicity. He did it because my wife Patty didn’t get to make it to the game. It was kind of a birthday present to her from him. He only meant to show about four people. http://www.maxpreps.com/news/UVFB-6a_Ed6OEwAcxJTdpg/missouri-freshman-with-down-syndrome-has-62-yard-run-of-a-lifetime.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohiobucks Posted September 23, 2009 Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 What a great story, thanks for sharing Toddy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted September 23, 2009 Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 That's awesome. I'll have to look at the vid when I get to the apartment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stone Cold Posted September 24, 2009 Report Share Posted September 24, 2009 I saw this story on the news! I, along with a bunch of my work mates, are big supporters of the Special Olympics here in Illinois. There are A LOT of special kids out there and this is one of them. For them it does not take but one special moment for them to think that they are special. I thought this was GREAT! Both coach's and all players are at the top of my list for what they have done! I am getting goose bumps just thinking about this. Here is a little story I will share that my buddy that is also special proves that little things matter. It was my buddies birthday and his family and I took him out for lunch and I thought it would be funny to sign his card "Studly Steve". To this day, every time he sees me he yells out "Studly Steve". Bring these special people to your hearts and make them feel like they are the best! As I tell the kids that make fun of them! These kids have the most heart that I have ever seen! Dont make fun of them for what you see, get to know them and you will love them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig mack Posted September 25, 2009 Report Share Posted September 25, 2009 Awesome video and story!!!! Thanks for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper Posted September 27, 2009 Report Share Posted September 27, 2009 That story touched me more than you'll ever know...thanks for sharing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted September 27, 2009 Report Share Posted September 27, 2009 Awesome video and story!!!! Thanks for sharing. +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arrow32 Posted September 27, 2009 Report Share Posted September 27, 2009 Thats awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs. Strut10 Posted September 27, 2009 Report Share Posted September 27, 2009 It's nice to see a high school and a community that sticks together for the benefit of a child with Down's Syndrome. It's my hope that something like that happen for my little boy some day. Down's kids are so full of love and it's nice to see people giving it back to them like this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted September 29, 2009 Report Share Posted September 29, 2009 That is a great story! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swampbuckva Posted October 4, 2009 Report Share Posted October 4, 2009 Amazing story love the video!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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