CANTON, Ohio – History was made Saturday in a building known for its history of professional football as the Pro Football Hall of Fame hosted its first Deaf Day. The Gallaudet University football team was a key participant in the day's festivities.
Gallaudet football players volunteered their time to help with outdoor football drills set-up like a National Football League (NFL) combine. Children and visitors to the Pro Football Hall of Fame got the chance to throw footballs at targets, run a 40-yard dash, go through some football practice drills on the turf field right outside the main building.
"It was incredible to be surrounded by so much history, especially given the rich legacy of Gallaudet football and the Deaf community," said Gallaudet assistant football coach and former player and alum
Shelby Bean,
'13. "Discovering a hidden gem like the 'Goodyear Silents' team from 1915 to 1927 was a powerful reminder of the deep roots and impact Deaf athletes have had for generations."
The Pro Football Hall of Fame partnered with Gallaudet and Triad Deaf Services from Ohio for the first Deaf Day at The Hall. Hundreds of visitors attended the day from the deaf community as many drove near and far to be there. Former Gallaudet players and graduates were spotted as some made the drive from Florida and others from Minnesota, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, California, to name a few states that were represented.
In the Pro Football Hall of Fame theater former head football coach
Chuck Goldstein made two presentations on the AT&T 5G Helmet. Visitors got the chance to try on the helmet and learn about the journey from start to finish on how the helmet was made. Of course, the acclaimed "Sound of Silence" AT&T 5G Helmet commercial was shown along with a behind the scenes video of the work AT&T did with Gallaudet football to make an idea into a reality.
"Being part of the first-ever Pro Football Hall of Fame Deaf Day was a memorable experience. It was awesome to connect with so many alumni and share our AT&T 5G helmet with both our community and the many guests visiting the Hall," said Goldstein, the all-time winningest football coach in Gallaudet history, and now the admissions program manager at GU. "Our group represented Gallaudet with pride—it was truly a great day to be a Bison!"
After the Gallaudet players were done with their volunteer duties, they had to time to explore the Hall of Fame and soak in some of the history they were surrounded by.
The Deaf Day concluded with a closing ceremony after the conclusion of the Deaf Cornhole Tournament that ran during the afternoon inside the Hall of Fame. Former Gallaudet football standout and Academic All-America player
Adham Talaat '13 gave a moving and inspiring speech to wrap things up.
"This was such a 'full-circle' moment being able to step back into the huddle with the Gallaudet football program — over 11 years after the final time I suited up as a Bison — and fulfill a lifelong dream of one day delivering a Hall of Fame speech! Just as my message to the audience stated, this was an amazing opportunity for the GU football program and I to "pay it forward" in service to others — including our Deaf community, our Gallaudet alumni base, pro football fandom, and the future generations of Deaf athletes who may soon walk through the doors we've opened and reach new heights," said Talaat.
"I am honored by this experience and remain indebted to the coaching staff, teammates, program, and University who gave me the "second chance" and platform to pursue my football dreams and completely change the trajectory of my life. The lessons learned here have remained with me and serve as my playbook for success in all my endeavors in life."
Gallaudet football is known for its historical contributions it has made to the game of football and on Saturday the Bison made more by being there for Deaf Day at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Gallaudet players who participated in Deaf Day include;
Christian Begani (Chesapeake, Va.),
Marcus Brown-Gabriel (Beeville, Texas),
Andrae' Green (Washington, D.C.),
Navar Harris (Charleston, W.Va.),
Keanu Herzig-Wilcox (Frederick, Md.),
Caelan Linden (Burbank, Calif.),
AJ Markel (College Park, Md.),
Alex Ortman (Norway, Mich.),
Zack Parsons (Reading, Pa.),
Xavier Rankins (New Orleans, La.).
Gallaudet athletic staff and coaches who participated in Deaf Day include;
Louie Akuffo '23,
Sam Atkinson,
John Davis,
Chuck Goldstein,
Adham Talaat '13,
Tony Tatum '12,
Christopher Webb '19.
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