Graduate of Dixie Heights High School featured in Gallaudet University's football team, composed of deaf athletes.
Brayden Stewart Overcomes Adversity to Pursue Football Dream
Brayden Stewart, a 6-foot-1, 270-pound offensive guard, has made a name for himself in the world of football. Despite facing challenges with his hearing devices during games, Stewart's determination has never wavered.
Born deaf, Stewart started learning sign language when he was five or six years old. He attended Dixie Heights, where he proved himself in practice and became a starter, earning college offers. One of those offers came from Gallaudet University, the nation's first university offering higher education for deaf and hard-of-hearing students.
Initially, coaches were reluctant to play Stewart due to his hearing devices. However, they changed their minds after watching a video of him during his senior season at Dixie Heights. Stewart was soon invited to join the Gallaudet University football team.
Gallaudet University, located in Washington D.C., has a rich history in football. The team started in 1883, and later introduced the huddle to use sign language for setting up plays. The university's football team also wore jerseys with sign language spelling their mascot (B-I-S-O-N) last season.
In 2023, Stewart saw action in five games for the Bison, where he was second on the depth chart at the left guard position. This past season, Gallaudet introduced a new technology that enables coaches to transmit plays to a small video screen mounted inside the face mask of each player's helmet, making it easier for athletes with hearing problems to play football.
However, Stewart is considering going to another college to study physical therapy due to coaching changes at Gallaudet. John Scarboro, an upperclassman at Gallaudet, played in 36 games over the last four years and won't be eligible next season, potentially making Stewart the top contender for the starting left guard position.
Stewart is proud of what he has been able to accomplish despite the adversity he faced due to his hearing impairment. His experiences have helped him build the confidence necessary to push forward and strive to be his best in any endeavor.
On Tuesday, Stewart and his teammates will be on campus when Gallaudet University recognizes National American Sign Language Day. Stewart's story is a testament to the power of determination and the importance of embracing diversity in sports.
Read also:
- United States tariffs pose a threat to India, necessitating the recruitment of adept negotiators or strategists, similar to those who had influenced Trump's decisions.
- Weekly happenings in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
- Southwest region's most popular posts, accompanied by an inquiry:
- Discussion between Putin and Trump in Alaska could potentially overshadow Ukraine's concerns
