Videos

The Top 10 Special Needs Moments In Sports

Every week or two someone passes along a viral video about an individual with special needs and the amazing story behind the person. Many of these stories happen on the sports fields of high schools and colleges around the country. We have collected 10 of the most amazing special needs moments in sports and present the videos below. Tell us which one is your favorite in the comments below.

10. Boy With Cerebral Palsy Gets On The Wrestling Mat

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLmzjsKV8Ps&rel=0] Jared Stevens a 13 year old with Cerebral Palsy, got the chance to go to the mat in an exhibition match for his Sunset Middle School team against Justin Kievit, who was picked for the face-off not because of his weight class or ability but because his coaches knew he would know what to do.

9.Get Owen On Sports Center

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oENRpLl4PEk&rel=0] Middle schooler with Down Syndrome, Owen Groesser, makes SportsCenter's Top Plays after draining two 3-pointers.

8. The Ike Special

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jb_4f5nXZdA&rel=0] The Snohomish (Wash.) High School Football team saved their best play for late in the game. Called the Ike Special, it featured then 17 year old Ike Ditzenberger.

7. A Shot At Glory

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKQl29AaR0M&rel=0] A Texas teen has set the example of sportsmanship by unselfishly surrendering the basketball to a developmentally disabled member of the opposing team so he could score a point during a game.

6. Patrick Henry Hughes

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xwCG0Ey2Mg&rel=0] Patrick Hughes was a young man at University of Louisville who was born blind and crippled who becomes a star in the University of Louisville Marching Band.

5. Kick Of Hope

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLyQNlh_rSM&rel=0] College GameDay” profiles the inspirational story of Rutgers’ superfan Anthony Starego, who has battled autism and recently kicked a game-winning field goal to help Brick upset Toms River North.

4. Boy Inspires Kids, Kids Inspire Us All

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6Alt2DssYc&rel=0] Matt has Spastic Cerebral Palsy, but opted to run in Field Day at Colonial Hills Elementary School despite being given the option to sit it out and despite the incredible challenge of his disability. What transpires is a boy who is filled with determination and a school of children who spontaneously come together and inspire Matt and everyone of us to do and be better.

3. The National Anthem At Fenway Park

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhcZRFcjbhw&rel=0] The most well known National Anthem in Fenway Park came on disability awareness night in 2007 when the entire Fenway Park joined together to  help a young man with autism finish the National Anthem.

2. Brotherly Love

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouhURNLsnjo&rel=0] Cayden, suffers from cerebral palsy, but Conner doesn't let that stop him from playing sports with his brother. The two compete in triathlons together, with Conner towing Cayden behind in a raft during the swimming leg, towing him behind his bike during the cycling portion, and pushing him during the run.

1. Jason McElwain

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fw1CcxCUgg&rel=0] Seven years ago on February 15th, 2006 Jason McElwain was a little known teenager. At an early age Jason was diagnosed with autism. As he grew up his brother Josh introduced him to basketball and  eventually he ended up as the manager of his high school basketball team. The rest is history!