Teen with Duchenne muscular dystrophy joins Chaparral high school football team
Oct 13, 2015, 4:24 PM | Updated: Oct 14, 2015, 12:46 pm
(Lisa Groeger/Today)
Chaparral high school’s football team in Scottsdale has had its success on the field with six state championships in 16 years. The very successful football program made headlines again, this time for a heartfelt roster addition.
17-year-old senior Kevin Groeger has Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Serious heart or lung complications come from the disease and most young men with the disease only live into their late 20’s.
According to Today, team captains Derek Porambo and Chrsitian Skeptaris saw Kevin in his wheelchair at all of the Firebirds’ games last year and wanted him to join them on the offensive line.
Kevin is on the team this year and is involved in every aspect of being on the team and a part of the offensive line.
“The offensive line is a brotherhood and he is a huge part of it,” Porambo told Today. “It’s just a reminder that your play on the field represents something much more than just yourself.”