First football practice at Michigan School for the Deaf

The Michigan School for the Deaf in Flint, MI started football practice on 08.17.09 for the first time since 1985.The deaf have long played football. Indeed, in one way, their legacy is permanently part of the game.In 1892, according to a variety of sources, Paul Hubbard, the quarterback of Gallaudet University -- the first school intended for the higher education of the deaf -- grew concerned opposing defenses were reading the sign language he used to call plays. Hubbard began gathering his fellow players in a circle around him, blocking vision from the field and the sidelines.The huddle was invented. After the first practice this week, the coaches said they were pleased with the outcome."They were pretty good," Eckman said."Just based on their ability to run and follow instruction. It was pretty good."But with no booster program in place, with the school decades removed from the last time it needed to finance the expensive sport and with the first of six games scheduled for Sept. 17, things are in a bit of a rush at the small school in chronically hard-pressed Flint."We need all of the bare essentials," Eckman said. "The goal posts, equipment, pads. I started sending out sponsorship letters the day I got the word that I was the head coach for the team about two weeks ago."We're actively raising money and asking for sponsorships for the program."

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• David
• Coates
• deaf
• football
• flint

[BUSTINKZ]

them boys stackin that sign language gang

[poofkaboom]

@packerdmohar1

are you deaf too?

dude listen to what he says about the number of players

"wont have the whole team here today"

[pclegend2010]

sorry to say but this is a FAIL!

[racingteam8402]

SAD



[packerdmohar1]

i font get it how do they know when to hike the ball and theirs only like 5 kids you need at least 11

[rapboy57]

hey dis is wesley """"32""" from ohio school for the deaf" that was my best game cuz we abt same = anywayz good game on homecoming

[TsWtGh]

i go to that school still

[Biggie1231]

I seen they taken down the Soccer Goals on the Field at MSD