Derrick Coleman is a fullback in the National Football League for the Seattle Seahawks. His story in particular interests me because I also play fullback and he is a guy that I look up to. I aspire to reach his level in the future (plus we have the same name... almost). As I was going through this unit, I immediately thought about Derrick and his story. Growing up, the odds were against him to accomplish any major goals he may have had. The deck was stacked against him from a young age. As we learned in lecture, only about 10% of parents who can hear ever learn to effectively communicate with their child. Also, only about 1/3 of children who are deaf complete high school; with only 1/5 of those children finishing college. There are many additional hurdles that a child who is deaf must overcome in life to be successful.
In Derrick's case, as he grew older and aspired to be a football player, his coaches didn't know how to communicate with him. People gave up on him, including his coaches, and said that he was a lost cause. With only 10% of parents ever learning to communicate effectively, how could they be expected to do so? Only 1/3 of children who are deaf complete high school... Derrick is among that 1/3. Roughly 1/5 of those children graduate college... Derrick graduated from UCLA.
In Derrick's case, as he grew older and aspired to be a football player, his coaches didn't know how to communicate with him. People gave up on him, including his coaches, and said that he was a lost cause. With only 10% of parents ever learning to communicate effectively, how could they be expected to do so? Only 1/3 of children who are deaf complete high school... Derrick is among that 1/3. Roughly 1/5 of those children graduate college... Derrick graduated from UCLA.
In terms of reaching his athletic goals, a major one was to make it to the NFL. Derrick, nor his family, heard his name called on draft day. What was another obstacle to a man that has overcome so much already? Derrick battled and earned his spot on an NFL roster and became the starting fullback. Now, Derrick Coleman is a Super Bowl (World) Champion.
At the end of this commercial Derrick informs the viewers that he has been deaf since he was 3 years old. The statement that he chose in response to all the negativity surrounding him, "So I didn't listen." had an unbelievably powerful message. The statement has so much meaning and can be analyzed in a few did of ways. I am a big admirer of Derrick Coleman both on and off the field. He has ignored all the people who have doubted him and become an incredible athlete and person.
At the end of this commercial Derrick informs the viewers that he has been deaf since he was 3 years old. The statement that he chose in response to all the negativity surrounding him, "So I didn't listen." had an unbelievably powerful message. The statement has so much meaning and can be analyzed in a few did of ways. I am a big admirer of Derrick Coleman both on and off the field. He has ignored all the people who have doubted him and become an incredible athlete and person.