Sports

Matt Ziesel's Touchdown Run: Player with Down's Syndrome Scores

by Jordan Yerman | September 18, 2009 at 12:12 pm

5090 views | 1 Recommendation | 4 comments

Okay this is my favorite story of the day: Matt Ziesel's touchdown run. Matt Ziesel, a freshman on the St. Joseph Benton High School football team, has Down's Syndrome, and so hasn't played an any of the actual games, never mind scored a touchdown... until now. St. Joseph Benton coach Dan McCamy 's team had the ball but were losing 46-0 when he approached opponent Maryville High School's defensive coach David McEnaney, asking Maryville to let Matt Zeisel, a 5'3", 110-lb running back, score a touchdown. emonstrating great sportsmanship, Maryville agreed, and the moment is captured here in all its viral-video glory: Matt Zeisel's touchdown run.

As he headed across the field to talk to McEnaney, McCamy wasn’t sure what the reaction would be. He asked the players to avoid physical contact with Ziesel but to make it as real as possible for him.
“The (Maryville) players, they didn’t hesitate at all,” McEnaney said. “They jumped right on board.”

Source: kansascity.com

Mat Zeisel has now scored more high-school touchdowns than most of us.

1 See all footage | View Slideshow

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joe cook (not verified)

at 13:20 on September 22nd, 2009

now thats real sportsmanship hats off to both teams , and matt great run buddy!!!

shineyapple (not verified)

at 18:07 on September 25th, 2009

Matt has Down Syndrome not Down's Syndrome. Common mistake. Smile

Billie Jo Johnson (not verified)

at 17:28 on October 25th, 2009

It is called Down's Syndrome, not Down Syndrome. It is not a very coomon mistake for thoe of us who have family members with Down's Syndrome. I love my Buddy

Josh Scott (not verified)

at 11:30 on October 29th, 2009

I actually go to Benton and Know Matt. He's a very good guy. Always funny, always willing to help and always doing his best. I think his dad, Coach Ziesel deserves a thumbs up for doing such a great job.