While research this topic I kept wondering why we don't hear more about deaf players in the news. Is it because they don't want to be treated any differently, are they ashamed of it. I would truly hope not. I think that being deaf and an athlete of any of type of something to be proud of. Being an athlete in general is tuff, not to mention to add anything on to it.

I wanted to see a list of all famous deaf athlete's to see what accomplishment their has been and sadly i could not find a single list out there. The deaf community has shaped and changed allot of the sports we enjoy today.

I truly look forward to following Ryan's career and hope that in fact he does make it to the NFL, not because he is deaf but because he is a good linebacker and deserves the chance to go as far as he wants to go.

I encourage everyone to check out this page, the information you can get about the deaf culture is amazing, http://www.lifeprint.com/

76 Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students played NCAA Sports

Last year it was reported that there was an estimated 76 deaf and heard-of-hearing students who played NCAA sports and NAIA sports, according to the Deaf Digest Magazine, and of that 39 played in Division I. Sadly this doesn't account for the students who wished to remain nameless. However this figures have risen greatly since the 1973 Rehabilitation Act mandated interpreters for the deaf and hard-of-hearing students at universities and provided against discrimination based on disability.

Last year in Towson, MD, Ryan Bonheyo was quoted saying "This is the biggest challenge of my life. I know I can do it." Bonheyo is a freshman at Towson University, so what makes this be the biggest challenge of his life. Bonheyo, 6'5", 210 lbs, linebacker for the university was born deaf.

The defensive coordinator, Matt Hachmann, stated he could care less of Bonheyo is deaf, but the coach had to make accommodations for the player. There are little things they had to change like clapping instead of blowing a whistle when initiating drills, and some big changes like expanding an already extensive language of defensive hand signals. Bonheyo has a interpret, Brain Tingley, that helps him with the plays.

Bonheyo said "There's allot of pressure. I have a chip on my shoulder and work harder than anyone else."

It is sad to say by Towson was the only college that offered Bonheyo a scholarship to play. Bonheyo had attended the Maryland School of Deaf and lead the school to four consecutive National Deaf Prep Championships. Coach Ambrose said that " A lot of college coaches weren't willing to take what they felt was a chance on him. A lot of coaches were just afraid." Afraid of what?

A lot of people within the deaf community has criticizes Bonheyo for not attending Gallaudet (both is parents are an alumni). Bonheyo said he never once considered that school, he felt that he was good enough to play division I football and that is why he chose Towson University, it is a division I school.

"He'll get no preferential treatment," Ambrose said. "You walk a fine line between accommodating him and treating him like a football player. Our opponents ain't cuttin' him any slack. And the world sure ain't cuttin' him any slack."

Bonheyo is able to communicate with the other players threw the use of his interpreter, by texting on his ipone, and old-fashioned hand written notes. He said that some of his teammates want to learn sign language so he is teaching them basic signs for now.

Bonheyo was asked if he felt him being a deaf player was an advantage or a disadvantage. "I don't think there are any disadvantages on the field for me. Actually there are some advantages. For example, I won't be fooled by a quarterback's false snap calls. Also, I won't be distracted by the noise around the field. Once the team and I learn how to communicate on the field, there wont be any disadvantages for me."
His coach, Ambrose, gave the best quote to the Press Box, Baltimore Sports Period.. He said "This kid is undaunted. He is not scared about anything and that is the kind of person that is successful."

Will Ryan Bonheyo make it the NFL? He is currently a sophomore at Towson University. so in two years we'll know.


Lucido, Krystina . "Quiet star?". 05/20/2010 .
Klemko, Robert. "Deaf athletes hurdle barriers, achieve goals in college sports". 05/20/2010 .

Bonnie Sloan

I've found out that before Kenny Walker, there was Bonnie Sloan. Sadly I can't seem to find a ton of information on this man and his great accomplishment. What I did find out what Bonnie Sloan, born June 1, 1948, is a native Lebanon, TN, and he started at the Austin Peay State University. He was the 10th round draft pick and was drafted to play for the St. Louis Cardinals for the 1973 season. He only played 4 games as a defensive tackle. He was also released that year due to a knee injury.

Palmer , Pete . The ESPN Pro Football Encyclopedia First Edition . Sterling , 1996.

Kenny Walker

Born April 6, 1967 in Crane, Texas, Hewas the youngest of six children. When Kenny was 2 years old he contracted spinal meningitis which deprived him of his ability to hear. His family would go on to help him adjust to his new life, his two older brothers Darren and Gus wouldn't allow Kenny to have a self-pity party. "If I was pouting, or wanted sympanthy, they'd deck me" Walker told Tom Keyser of the Calgary Herald.

Kenny's parents would go on to seperate and his mother would move the children to Denver, Colorado. This is where Kenny a would attend a deaf program at the University of Denver. Kenny was a natural athlete and when he was in the 10th grade he would try out and make the school's football team. His position would be as a defensive end and split end. Given his natural talent to play sports, after graduating high school, Kenny was offered a scholorship to attend the University of Nebraska.

In the 1990's, Kenny would make his professional footbal debut. He would become the first deaf football player to play in the National Football league in nearly 20 years. Kenny would be a defensive lineman for the Denver Bronco's in 1991 and 1992. Kenny would pick up his plays by reading the lips of the other players. After playing with the Bronco's for two years, Kenny would go on to be the first deaf player for the Canadian Football League (CFL).

Who invented the "Huddle?"

Paul D. Hubbard (1/14/1871-6/27/1946) played quarterback (1892-1895) for Gallaudet College back in 1890, which is located in Washington D.C.. Paul felt that the player's on the other teams had learned their sign's for their plays, so he invested the "huddle" to keep their plays a secret. He never once imaged that it would become a part of the national football league.

The Huddle is now used in baseball, football, soccer, and basketball.

"Deaf People ". 05/19/2010

Football and the Deaf

For my ASL 1 class, we were asked to blog about something that we are interested in and how it either relates to the deaf culture or how it impacts the deaf culture.

For me, I am interested in sports and wonder if within the football culture, a player could be deaf. So I am setting out to see if their is any deaf players within the NFL or Arena Football league.