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.
We have a guy on my sons JV Football team whose younger brother was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer a couple of days before school started. He was wearing a yellow "life" braclet during last weeks game that he forgot to remove before the game started. Instead of telling the kid, or the coach, to remove the bracelet, the Ref gave him an "unsportsman like" penalty. You know "rules are rules".
Players have been told those bracelets are illegal from the beginning of the season. The coach is asked before each game if his players are in the proper uniform. Refs routinely go amongst the players before the game to inspect. The player knew it was banned. Proper penalty!
Here's a video I found. It says he actually had some sacks:
http://nbc4la.feedroom.com/iframeset.jsp?ord=835146
I am not saying that we didn't "deserve" the penalty, I was just commenting on the irony of an "unsportsman like" penalty when the kid is just supporting his brother. And the sometimes unwavering "rules are rules".
women rugby players ar MEAN! they scare me!
It actually stipulates what must be worn. NFHS Football Rules - Rule 1, which is The Game, Field, Players and Equipment - Section 5, which deals with Player Equipment - Article 1 - Mandatory equipment. Each player shall participate while wearing the following pieces of properly fitted equipment, which shall be professionally manufactured and not altered to decrease protection. a through i lists each piece of equipment.
Article 5 says - When any required player equipment is missing or when illegal equipment is found, correction shall be made before participation. An official's time-out shall be declared to permit prompt repair of equipment which becomes illegal or defective through use.
Atricle 6 says - Each player shall properly wear the mandatory equipment while the ball is live.
Really? I was just kiddin'. I've known some guys who play Rugby and I didn't think it was possible for any woman to be out there, judging by the physical punishment.
my college had a womens rugby team, those girls were just ruthless on the field, womens rugby was actually scarier to watch than mens rugby or lacrosse.
My sister played rugby in college (and she's not a large woman.)
She gave it up when she had her collar bone broken.
>>When I was coaching varsity basketball, I knew some of the officials from highschool. They were the ones that were on the teams and NEVER played, well, except senior night and when there were really big leads. Now they get off on the authority of being an official. It goes without saying that they sucked as officials as much as they sucked when when they played in highschool.<<
I'm calling BS on this. If you persist with this nonsense, please list the specific names of all the officials you are referring to, where they went to school, and when, and exactly how you know they NEVER played. It sounds more like you have a chip on your shoulder about officials (probably aren't good enough to be one) and are taking it out. I think if you gave us your record as a coach, we'd see what the motivation here really is.
I've officiated basketball and football, basketball up to the Division II NCAA level. Not only did I play (Juco; probably a level at least as high or higher than you did) and was good (HS all-district, even though I wasn't a starter), I worked with officials (good officials, mind you) that were high school all-state, Division I NCAA players, and everything in between. Besides, being a good player and being a good official and having played a lot or at a high level are two different things. I'd assert the best officials and coaches are the ones that WEREN'T the most talented. One cannot acquire the temperment it takes to be a great official by being a good player. And the vast majority of officials I've worked with don't have an authority complex. The ones that do don't last long, mainly because they can't get along with people like me.
Please don't make stuff up. If you have a beef with officials, then state that.
Oh, but you mean broads against broads, not broads against dudes. I think we need to totally integrate everything /sarcasm off.
They allowed a boy with the same handicap to play for Valencia HS in CA 2 weeks ago. Now if only some of the coaches in other schools in the area would give playing time to the rest of the team and not just worry about their win loss record. They would make alot more kids feel like they are part of the team too.
Remember coaches everybody plays!
He looks like a natural halfback.
But the referee has the right to give that penalty on the coach. It is the head coaches responsibilty that his kids are legally equipped. The umpire and referee verify this before each game.
Halfback.. well at least for short yardage.
"He looks like a natural halfback."
You'll probably catch hell, but I thought it was funny.
If you want a Google GMail account, FReepmail me.
They're going fast!
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