First deaf NFL player Derrick Coleman made history not only on the field but also in the hearts of millions. Despite facing challenges that could have held him back, he defied expectations and proved that hearing loss doesn’t have to limit his potential. His journey is one of resilience, determination, and inspiration-a story that continues to motivate athletes and individuals around the world.
The Early Challenges of the First Deaf NFL Player
At the age of 3, the first deaf NFL player, Derrick Coleman, lost his hearing due to genetic reasons. This was not expected as both of his parents had normal hearing, however, it was found that they were each missing a hearing gene. Dealing with deafness in school was not easy for Derrick.
The impairment made him feel different than everyone else and there was definitely a sense of alienation between him and his school peers. Unfortunately, Derrick became the target of relentless bullying due to his bulky hearing aids. Kids would make fun of the way he looked and the way he spoke, sometimes even trying to pull out his aids, even though he was unable to understand what was being said in class without them.
Building Strength Through Support and Hard Work
The main factor that shaped the outlook of the first deaf NFL player, Derrick Coleman, and kept him from closing himself off from the world was the way his parents chose to approach his diagnosis. Instead of sheltering him to protect him, they treated him exactly the same as his brother and sister. He wasn’t allowed to use his impairment as an excuse to fall behind in school or withdraw from social situations.
Thanks to this approach, Derrick quickly adapted to working hard-harder than most of his peers-to stay on top of his studies. No longer afraid to ask question when he didn’t understand something, he began to speak up again. his confidence returned, but more importantly, he developed the strong work ethic that would eventually fuel his success.
The same work ethic translated seamlessly to the playing field. By consistently putting in double the effort of those around him, Derrick proved he could turn his disability into an advantage. Despite concerns that the physical impact of playing fullback could worsen his hearing loss, he never backed down. By the time he was a freshman in high school, the first deaf NFL player was already in making his mark on the varsity team.
Making History as the First Deaf NFL Player
When he started his journey as the first deaf NFL player, he went on to play college football at UCLA, graduating with a degree in political science after four years of studies. Not long after that, he caught the attention of the NFL and in 2013, creating history he became the first deaf player in NFL to play offense. Later on during the year, Derrick received an exciting offer – he was presented with an opportunity to be featured in the new Duracell battery commercial in which he told his story of growing up with hearing impairment. The commercial quickly went viral, inspiring thousands.
Derrick now uses his platform to spread awareness about hearing loss: he runs the No Excuse foundation, the purpose of which is to ‘support, educate and advocate for the hearing-impaired community as they move to integrate into mainstream society.’ In 2018, he took part in an event that took place in the Phoenix Day School for the Deaf in Arizona. He spoke to the students there and answered their questions in hopes of serving as an example of someone who has faced and is still facing the hardships of hearing impairment and has achieved success despite them.
Derrick Coleman is a true inspiration. His story serves as proof that individuals who are hard of hearing can not only live a full and satisfying life despite hearing loss, but can also turn the impairment into an advantage, learning to use it as a motivator to push their boundaries, work hard and achieve their dreams. We at HAA, motivate you to follow your dreams and we will assist you with best hearing accessories that suits you the best.
