'Special' Football Team, Cheer Squad Takes to the Field

The Warriors, decked out in their brand-new uniforms, took to the Naperville North football field Sunday morning and wasted no time scoring an opening drive touchdown run.

On the sidelines, the Angels cheerleading squad celebrated their team's success.

And in the stands and on the field were proud moms and dads who likely never thought they'd see their children -- all of whom are disabled -- playing flag football or leading cheers.

Thanks to the Pop Warner Challenger football and cheerleading teams, disabled children throughout Will County, including Plainfield, Naperville, Romeoville, Bolingbrook and Coal City, have a chance to do just that.

The team debuted this fall and has attracted nine boys and four girls who have been fighting tremendous odds their whole lives.

Being a part of the team gives them a chance to participate in something their peers do, make new friends, learn a sport and increase their self-esteem, parents and organizers said.

Most of all, they have fun.

“They go to school and say, ‘I’m a cheerleader,’” said Jean Johnson, an organizer of the program who is in charge of the Angels cheer squad. “They identify themselves as more than a kid in a wheelchair or a kid in a special education program. It builds their self-esteem.”

Kathy Hayden’s son Tommy, 13, wanted to play football for several years, but no program was available to him. When talking with other parents of special needs children, she learned they were interested in finding sports programs for their kids, too, she said.

Hayden, of Plainfield, helped get the football program started and worked with Johnson, who was developing the cheer program.

The athletes learn warm-up exercises, football positions and plays. They huddle up with their teammates and give out high fives.

The program promotes camaraderie and teamwork rather than winning, and the kids get excited for their weekly practices, Hayden said.

“Everybody gets to play,” she said. “Everybody scores a touchdown.”

If not for the Challenger football league, many of these children would not get a chance to play an organized sport on a real football field.

Many of the football players wore their new red jerseys to school on Friday, similar to what varsity athletes do before a big game.

On Sunday, the Warriors played the penalty-prone Generals -- their parents -- who have yet to win a game.

“I think it’s fun because you can run for a touchdown and you can throw the ball to all the guys who are open,” Tommy Hayden said.

Maurice Booker III, 14, said he likes throwing the ball.

His father, Maurice Booker Jr., of Romeoville, likes that the Warriors have given his son a chance to play ball.

“He’s a sports fanatic,” he said. “He usually sits and watches football. I like the fact they give children with special needs the opportunity to play. He’s enthusiastic, and he looks forward to it.”

Mom Natalie Booker said she feels the program is a wonderful opportunity that has also boosted her son’s confidence.

Annette Pennington’s 16-year-old son Andrew has worked as the equipment manager for Plainfield Central High School’s football team for the past three years. Andrew is excited that he gets to play the sport instead of just being on the sidelines, the Plainfield mom said.

Angela Hicks, of Plainfield, said her son John, 15, was particularly thrilled to get a uniform and feel part of a team.

Allie Armstrong, 12, of Coal City, said she was ready to cheer Sunday in her brand new wheelchair using her new pom poms. Having her dad, mom and two brothers attend the game to cheer her on was very special, she said.

“This gives her an opportunity to do something that she wants to do,” Allie’s mom Heather Mazikoske, said. “She’s happy.”

Anyone interested in the football or cheer program for special needs children can contact the organizers at Angelcheer2011@yahoo.com or chellytommy@sbcglobal.net or visit the national Pop Warner Challenger Flag Football League Web site at www.challengerflagfootballeague.com.