Spotlight: Derrick Coleman

Arizona Cardinals fullback Derrick Coleman, who is 28 years old, lost his hearing at age three. He was bullied during his childhood and didn't have access to resources that would be helpful for a deaf person. However, he began playing football in middle school. In 2012, Coleman became the National Football League's third deaf player when he joined the Minnesota Vikings. Since then, he played in more than 55 games with three NFL teams. He played for the Seattle Seahawks when they won the Super Bowl in 2014. Despite his hearing impairment, Coleman understands what people say by reading lips and is learning sign language. Last month, he spoke to students at the Phoenix Day School for the Deaf, sharing with them inspirational words of wisdom. For more information, go to http://ktar.com/story/2327987/cardinals-derrick-coleman-overcomes-hearing-loss-to-live-out-dream/.

Derrick Coleman

(image via Wikimedia Commons)