Wednesday, Sep. 15, 2010

Challenger football energizes disabled kids

Trevor Kinlaw has been a shy boy for most of his life. The 13-year-old, after all, has autism and many everyday situations that don't bother most kids, like being outside and encountering bugs, have always been painful for him.

Then he discovered football.

Going into his second year playing for the Consolidated Football Federation's Challenger team, being outside has become more fun, and he doesn't even notice bugs so much anymore.

He's too busy scoring touchdowns and hearing cheers from fans who gather on various football fields in the Triangle on Saturdays to watch the team in action.

"It has been amazing," said Trevor's mom, Gina. "He was always very quiet and reserved; now he's outgoing. The football league has brought him out a lot."

It's hard to believe Trevor was ever shy or reserved. Or quiet.

On a recent late summer afternoon, he was charged up and dying to talk about his family, his pets, and football.

"I like football because my grandfather takes me to Duke games," he said. "Football is cool and awesome."

His bright grin travels all the way from his lips to his eyes.

"That smile is on his face all the time," his mother said.

The Consolidated Football Federation is a local Pop Warner Little Scholars League. Part of the Pop Warner mid-South Region, the CFF is made up of 14 individual member associations, or teams, spread over five counties.

Last year, more than 3,500 kids from 5 to 18 years of age participated, according to the federation's website. The CFF has a cheer and dance program, in addition to football.

The Challenger team is new, established last year for kids with disabilities, said coordinator Sally McCormick.

"I have long worked with nonprofits that serve kids and adults with developmental disabilities, and I saw there is a real need in the area of sports and recreation," she said.

The 2010 season kicked off Friday, and runs through the end of October.

"Kids can sign up for the Challenger team and participate anytime through the end of the season," McCormick said.

Because it is a fledgling program, there are no other Challenger-type teams available, so the group divides up into offense and defense and scrimmages.

The athletes play a form of flag football, and those who are not physically able to run on their own team up with an able-bodied buddy who will push a wheel chair, or simply hold hands and provide additional stability.

"Overall, everyone has a great time, and the kids have a blast," McCormick said.

A highlight of the 2009 season was a game between the Challengers and the Garner High School Trojans football team.

Trevor is a big husky boy who takes pride in being strong and fast. During the Garner game, he got carried away, decided to abandon the flag football concept and tried to make some tackles.

"I just crashed into players, like in regular football," he said, his entire face lighting up in a wide grin.

Trevor's sister, Emily, 9, is an essential part of the Challenger team, too.

Last year, she was the sole cheerleader for her big brother's team. This year, another girl has joined the squad, so she'll have a companion on the sidelines.

"Go Big Blue," the small blue-eyed blonde girl shouts loudly, demonstrating her favorite cheer.

Emily also has a disability affecting her speech, vision, balance and movement. She loves wearing jewelry and smiles a lot, just like her big brother, whom she clearly adores.

"Emily's the only cheerleader for the Challengers, and that makes her the best one," Trevor said, and laughed loudly.

Emily laughed, too.

The Challengers players and cheerleaders wear Carolina Panthers jerseys. Emily's jersey is big enough for her to wear as a dress.

"We received a generous grant from the Carolina Panthers Foundation to help with expenses," McCormick said.

An athletic uncle who owns many football and baseball trophies has inspired Trevor to collect trophies, too.

"My goal is to get more trophies than Uncle Harry," he said.

Trevor is well on his way. A trophy he received at the end of last season sits in a special spot in his room.

A seventh-grader at Durant Road Middle School, he has started playing sports in the Wake County Special Olympics program and hopes to continue to play football each season. He also enjoys playing baseball and soccer. But football's his favorite at the moment because he gets to score touchdowns.

"I enjoy running and scoring the most," he said. "It makes me feel good and proud."

Hearing the spectators cheer for him feels pretty good, too.

Emily enjoys horseback riding in a local therapeutic riding program and plans to start dance lessons this month. She's is in the fourth grade at Durant Road Elementary School.

Gina is a very proud mama, and that makes Trevor a happy boy.

It shows in the smile that lights up his face.