Posted on 09/30/2005 11:52:12 AM PDT by Macaw
A legless teen in Ohio who was told he cannot play during a game in Cincinnati because of a rule requiring players to wear shoes and knee pads will be allowed to play in future games, according to a Local 6 News report.
Bobby Martin was told at halftime of a recent game at Mount Healthy High School in Cincinnati that he could not finish the game because of the shoes and knee pads rule.
Martin said the decision made him feel disabled for the first time.
"That's the first time in 17 years," Martin said. "That's a landmark."
"Bobby was in tears about that, the whole team was mad," a teammate said. "The coach was in tears."
The Colonel White High School senior had played in all of the other season games as a member of the punt return team, using his arms to move down the field.
After checking the case, the Ohio High School Athletic Association said game officials made a mistake when they kept Martin from playing last week, according to an Associated Press report.
"The officials erred, but they erred on the side of caution," said Bob Goldring, an assistant commissioner with the OHSAA. "They did not want to see him get hurt."
Goldring said the association planned to send a letter Tuesday to the Dayton school district that reaffirms Martin's eligibility, according to a report.
Martin's story has drawn national attention. He has been encouraging others to live life to the fullest.
"Just go for it," Martin said. "Try new things in life, that's what life's all about. Don't look at me as having no legs, just look at me standing six feet tall,"
Martin is also on the school's wrestling team and is running for homecoming king.
A legless teen in Ohio who was told he cannot play during a game in Cincinnati because of a rule requiring players to wear shoes and knee pads
Opposing team's coach should have asked his players to all throw their shoes and kneepads onto the field and forfeit the game. Stupidity and evil need to be attacked swiftly and harshly, whenever they poke their nasty heads out.
If that guy can move down the field with his arms, he must be super strong. I wonder how many tackles he has this year? And could you imagine the ribbing that a kick returner would get if he was tackled by the guy with out any legs?
Getting mad and getting even is much better.
So the game officials just thought he was there to play for the first time? They somehow couldn't understand how long he had been playing? Eye rolling here.
OMG..I just reread it. They said he couldn't "finish" the game. Meaning he had already been playing in it. Something is definitely strange here.
Old news. It's even been covered in the back page of the current Sports Illustrated. The conference office has overruled the game officials and provided the young man and his coach with a letter to the effect that this young man is not to be barred from play.
Yeah it does make my mind wander. Maybe his unprotected stump hit the official in the nads or something.
Does the rule stipulate where the equipment must be worn?
Just thinking...
just to be on the side of caution, suspend the official(s) that made the decision.
I applaud the kid for what he's done. If the rule was established specifically to get him off the field though, the rule should be thrown out. However if the rule has been there in the past then I don't see the kid has a viable outlet
LOL
So do you think the rule might only apply to people that have knees and feet to protect?
Yes, football rules say you have to have shoes and kneepads... but the kid has no feet or knees! How about a little common sense here.
Just thinking..."
Thinking he could put one shoe on each hand, and the kneepads on his elbows?
Then go out there and make'em PAY!
You just can't make this stuff up. The idiocy of beaurocracy sometimes...
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