Inspiring student with Down Syndrome scores TD in New Jersey high school game
Homecoming weekend was a special one for Park Ridge High School in New Jersey. Then, coach Tom Curry Jr. and AD Chris Brown decided to turn it up a notch.
They did so in creating a play for manager Matt Gray, who was born with Down Syndrome, to start the second half of the game with Wood-Ridge.
"The ball was spotted on the Wood-Ridge 20. The Park Ridge offense took the field. Gray was announced to a loud roar as entering the game at running back. He did the Dab and waved to the fans. Yes, really.
The play call was “Ice Left,” called that in honor of Matt’s “Matty Ice” nickname. I thought he would sweep more outside (that’s why my video isn’t perfect), but Gray ducked inside, stayed in-between the hashmarks and scored. He spiked the ball and ran back to the bench with one finger held up in the air. He was mobbed in a giant hug of his teammates, and they carried him off the field. Brown said he was the first player ever carried off the field in Park Ridge. No, the touchdown did not officially count. But who cares? .... Matt’s mom Marianne said that Matt had told her he was confident, because he said the line would clear the way for him."
Park Ridge senior Josh Lewis, scored in the final minute on a sneak to tie the game at 20.
After a series of penalties, including one on a missed PAT, on the opposition, Park Ridge switches from a one-point PAT to a two-point attempt. Lewis scores to give Park Ridge a 22-20 victory.
