Thursday, May 15, 2014

Seattle Seahawks to try out second deaf player: Report

The Seattle Seahawks are planning to try out a second deaf player after the success of fullback Derrick Coleman. 

Coleman, who has been deaf since the age of three, helped Seattle win their first ever Super Bowl last February all while becoming an inspirational fan favorite.

Now, Seattle has invited another deaf player Adham Talaat to take part in a mini-camp in a bid to earn a spot on the team. 

The 23-year-old defensive end currently plays with tiny Gallaudet University in Washington D.C. which is a school for the deaf.

According to Seattle Post Intelligencer, Talaat is being given the opportunity to try out for the Seahawks after failing to be selected in the NFL draft last week.


Seattle was one of the six NFL teams that were present on April 9 for Talaat's Pro Day at Gallaudet, the first in school history.



The 6-foot-6 Talaat can run the 40 in under five seconds. He made 123 tackles over the course of last season, prompting the interest from Seattle. 

Talaat, like Coleman, failed to get picked during last week's draft although he is being offered a chance of making it to the highest level. 

Coleman wasn't during the draft twelve months earlier, but managed to impress Seattle's coaches at a special training camp.



Now, Talaat — who lost his hearing when he was an18-month-old — is being given the same opportunity. 

"The fact that Derrick Coleman is thriving in the NFL despite his hearing loss is opening eyes and doors in that aspect," said Talatt. 

"For every person that has ever been told the words: 'Deaf people can't do this, deaf people can't do that,' I want to be a living example that yes, they can."

"I don't view my hearing loss as any detriment or hindrance at all. I actually feel it is an advantage for me," reasoned Talaat.

"Crowd noise and trash talk does not faze me. An important point to consider is that NFL stadiums are loud. Players can't always hear each other, so they use signals or signs on the sidelines, which is non-verbal communication. That happens to be my specialty."

And it gets plenty loud inside CenturyLink Field.


4 comments:

  1. Even if I was def, I would still be able to talk to Russell Wilson in the international language of love. In the end, I will still be here.

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  2. HealthyMale and I are going to make a big announcement soon

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  3. GOD bless the Seahawks for giving disadvantaged people a chance..GO HAWKS !

    ReplyDelete