Because we don't hear enough of these inspirational stories amongst professional athletes....here's one that recently touched us. Check out how Seattle Seahawks Fullback Derrick Coleman has successfully overcome a major setback.....
While the team is on deck for this weekend's NFC championship game, we bet there's one thing you didn't realize about a member of the super successful Seattle Seahawks. One of the team's major players is the first legally deaf offensive player in the NFL.
In a new Duracell commercial, 23-year-old Seahawks Fullback Derrick Coleman is offering up some inspiration. He has overcome a genetic disability that caused him to lose his hearing at a very young age, and he's a prime example of how to Trust Your Power.
In the new inspirational campaign from the battery company, we see Derrick suffering through setbacks all of his life due to his deaf disability--bullying, obvious communication difficulties with coaches and teammates, and even losing out in the NFL Draft.
But he pushed on, worked his ass off to get into the NFL undrafted, and carried on with his passion. And now, he's flourishing on a team who's a serious Superbowl contender. And he does so with the help of a battery powered hearing aid.
Derrick said in the commercial, "They told me it was over. But I've been deaf since I was 3. So I didn't listen...."
Derrick also told Sporting News about why he decided to do the brilliant ad saying:
"I just hope to inspire people, especially children, to trust the power within and achieve their dreams."
"The biggest thing is just how persistent my mom and family were in not making me use my hearing aids as an excuse, telling me to work extra hard at everything I do as a person, no matter if needed the hearing aids or not. Every kid faces some challenge growing up."
Inspirational lesson: When you think your job or life is hard, there's someone else who is making "harder" happen...with less. So, what's your excuse?
Get into it.
Loves it.
