Deaf Football Player ‘Western Kentucky University’ (NCAA Div 1)
Posted by fookembug on March 29, 2007
From: xxxx@aol.com
Date: Thu, 29 Mar 2007 16:12:25 EDT
Subject: Comments from your blog
To: fookembug@yahoo.com
Here is a story about a Deaf Football Player that plays for Western Kentucky University Div 1 NCAA .
He is my son. He is struggling here because of the lack of Interpreters, He has support for the classroom but for the football field not most of the time. I can see his hope leaving him after he comes so far. It is hard for him to know sometime what is going on. He is sad at times when he calls home because a day of practice has gone by and he will have to guess what was said that day or what was expected of him.
Western Kentucky has been very good to him, and is trying very hard with him; but I don’t really think they get that he really needs a interpreter all the time for instruction. He is a great player and always was top in High School and Junior College not just in football but Discus, Weight lifting , Shot. He went to a all hearing High School and Junior College. These days, now that its time for him to really prove he belongs with the Big Boys communication just might end his career. Attached is a photo of him and a news clip from Kentucky.
However, If you type his name in the address bar of your computer you will find 3 pages of web stuff on him. Munir is not the type that will make a stink ever. He is a proud person, he also knows that his deafness has been the reason for his struggles to be just like anyone else. When he was home I could pep him up and get him going when time get tough. I could go to the school and complain. He is a man now and he is in College and I have email and called to get him the services he needs. But, Iam not there to give him that pep talk and take away the isolation he feels. I wish some of the pass Deaf Athletes would step up for this new generation of deaf kids and give them hope to keep pushing on matter what. It took a lot to get my son to this level. To lose his sport after this long hard fight would be a sin and cruel. He don’t want to get loud about the services, he just want to ask
and get the services. He just wants the world to see deaf people are just a talented with the tools needs. He do not know Iam writing this about him. I am a mother that loves her child and don’t know what else to do to help him. It is in Gods hands for sure, I can only drop to my knees and stay prayed up to cover him through this struggle.
Here are the pictures of him.
Ann said
Very nice. He is lucky to have a wonderful and loving mother.
TIMBO said
WAY TO GO DEAFIE PLAYING AT THIS LEVEL. THERE IS ANOTHER DEAF COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYER PLAYING FOR UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY, TOO. HIS NAME IS TERRY CLAYTON #48.
I HAVE A SON (CODA) PLAYED FOR EAST JESSAMINE HIGH SCHOOL. HE PLAYED WITH BRANDON MASON WHO IS PLAYING FOR WESTERN KY. UNIVERSITY NOW.
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND SHOW YOUR PRIDE IN PLAYING AT THIS LEVEL. YOU CAN BE A GOOD ROLE MODEL FOR OTHERS AS WELL. SMILE…..
Dustin said
Wait a minute, not good interpreter? WHY? Look at Oklahoma State Cornerback, Senior this 2007 Season and a 2 or 3 year starter, he started every game his Junior Year, and he has a interpreter who is always with him, and he has a chance to play in the NFL, and he said that the same Interpreter will follow him to NFL. I don’t see why WKU can’t do it, if OKST can do it.
you can look him up, Martel Van Zant, of Tyler, Texas. out of Oklahoma State University Cowboys.
Lee said
I’m a Deaf student at the University of Texas, and I am also a student-athlete tutor and mentor. I would be more than happy to help out. I’m an older student, and have a fairly good understanding of the ADA law as it applies to schools. I am primarily the reason why UT has captioning on the world’s largest HDTV screen at the football stadium. I knew that as a student, I am entitled to the same benefits and access to information anywhere on campus, wether it is for academics or not. I sent only 1 email and politely requested captioning on the jumbo screen, and 3 months later UT won the national football championship, then got a new HDTV screen and put captioning on it. I was told the captioning would be effective the next year, and it happened.
UT had a deaf football player a few years ago, and he was able to get the best interpreter to match his needs and preferences. It took a few interpreters but he found the right person.
Because football is a university sponsored activity, Munir is entitled to access at all times. He decides what works for him, so if an interpreter is not working, he can replace that interpreter and find another one until he can understand the interpreter. Munir can ask for an interpreter for anything related to the university, from group study sessions, football practice, banquets, tutoring, meeting the professor and football road trips. This should not be an issue at all, but a matter of finding the right interpreter that will work for Munir.
Martel Van Zant of Ok state has an interpreter that drives 3 hours everyday from his home to Oklahoma st campus, and I think he gets paid for the driving time. Martel is fortunate to find an effective interpreter. I’m assuming that though, since if he wasn’t picky, he probably would take any interpreter nearby.
You can email me at Lee.Germundson”AT”yahoo.com if you need any help about services for college, and college is not only about the classroom, it is a 24 hour a day experience. No Deaf person should have to be isolated and we deserve the same access to activities outside of the classroom.
Anonymous said
Hope God answered your prayer. Keep us informed.
chris said
I am a WKU supporter and would like to see Munir have an interpreter. Maybe some letters to the coaching staff would be the right way to do this. Sometimes hearing people just don’t understand.
David Elson said
I am David Elson the Head Football Coach at WKU. We have been told by our Student Disabilities Services office that they are only required to provide tutoring for Munir for academic reasons. We have looked into several possibilities and have not had much success getting someone that can be at all of his position meetings/ team meetings and practices. The question is, who pays the interpreter at Oklahoma State and other places? We would love to have one all the time for him. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
David Elson said
I meant to say interpreting instead of tutoring in the 2nd sentence.
fookemandbug said
David-
Good question. Two federal laws under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and American with Disabilities Act, requires the colleges and private colleges to provide the interpreters and pay for their service. Be sure to provide a certificated interpreter. If he is a student at Oklahoma State, that school has to pay the interpreters. You might want to check this for more information: http://www.nad.org/site/pp.asp?c=foINKQMBF&b=137690
If other place such as hospital, workplace, doctor’s office, meeting, etc.(not related to school or school sport), the ADA requires them to provide one if a deaf person requests. Hope this helps.
MOM said
THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR REPLIES. IT MEANT A LOT TO HEAR FROM YOU ALL. MUNIR STILL FACE THE SAME ISSUES TODAY AND HE IS HANGING IN THERE. WESTERN KENTUCKY IS STILL HANGING IN THERE WITH HIM. I’M NOT SURE WHY WE CAN’T GET THE SERVICE FOR MUNIR. I’M SURE WKU IS TRYING. I THINK THAT ONE OFFICE IS NOT SURE WHOM PLACE IS IT TO PROVIDE THE SERVICE. I THINK THE UNIVERSITY OVERALL IS THE PLACE TO START AND NOT THE FOOTBALL OFFICE ALONE. THE FOOTBALL OFFICE IS JUST A SMALL PART OF A BIG ADVENTURE OF MUNIR’S WORLD ROUNDED EDUCATION. THE FOOTBALL OFFICE NEEDS TO BE GIVEN A SUPPORT PERSON ALL TO THEMSELVES. IF IT IS ANYTHING MORE I CAN DO TO SUPPORT OF FOOTBALL OFFICE TO GET WHAT THEY NEED IAM AT THEIR SERVICE. I WEEP FOR MY SON. HIS TRAVEL IS HARDER THAN ANYONE PERSON CAN KNOW. HIS OBSTACLES WITH BEING DEAF IN A HEARING WORLD WITH NO SUPPORT STAFF FOR COMMUNICATION IN HIS SPORT HAS GOT TO BE A MAJOR LOAD TO HAUL. LET ALONE THE HEARING WORLD ITSELF!
Jamie said
You keep fighting for the paraprofessional. My son is hard of hearing. He is deaf in his left ear and aided in his right ear although without the aid he is deaf. His highschool is great because he does have the paraprofession on the field, and it makes a huge difference because if not he would miss out on sooo much information. My son has dreams of going on the the NFL and as a mother I will do everything to see him get there.
Jamie said
Call your congress man on this and get in touch with Galludet and they are a great rescource.
Jamie said
Also get in touch with the National Association for the Deaf….they are an advocate group…..they sued the Redskins in a class action lawsuit for not offering closed caption on the Big Screen.
Signzfun said
Mom,
I have a friend who works in the Student Services Section of WKU and is directly involved with the interpreters and other services for students. I have emailed her a copy of these postings and asked her to look into it. If there is something that can be done, she will help to get it accomplished.
Tell your son that he may HAVE to stand up and push for what is necessary to help him succeed. But Peggy will help to get things done if she can.
Concerned said
.
Today I heard a great thing about Munir Muwwakkil #99. I heard they finally got a good interpreter and that Munir is over joyed about this.
However, the sad part is Munir is not getting any playing time now. It was stated that the #99 was not following instruction and that the new group of players are better than Muwwakkil, but; they are not new they where there last year.
I am a sports fan, and I know this kid and I have been following. Munir Muwwakkil is amazing on the field and a pleasure to watch. I have not seen nor can anyone convince me that he is not the better player. It also confused me about the instruction not be followed. Well, it is not such a surprise that instruction might be a problem when he did not have anyone to interpret for him all summer. Not seeing his family no one to sign with for two summers in a row.
Now he will suffer in playing time because communication was lacking from the on start.
Next, after following the kid through High School and JUCO; instructions on the field had never been a complaint. As a matter of fact because of the type of disability the creative side is always at its highest, sports, art, common sense is at its highest. I know for a fact this is not the case with #99. I feel it is a sad, shame that his player worked so hard without services and stayed with it and did not quit only to be sat on the bench. WKU should be ashamed. They should know that all eyes are on them and how they are treating this player.
Now if he was not great at the game of football then I stand to be corrected. As a matter of fact this kid was off the chain in basketball, heavy weight lifting and the shot and discus. He took his High School to States in which they had never been before. I believe his is like number 12 in the state of Florida in Heavy Weights and 3 in the Discus. A true ALL-Star in his own right. Plus took it to new levels in JUCO. However, that is so far from the truth that the other two NT are better. NO WAY! Now you won’t be able to compare because they ain’t playing him.
I think WKU should admit that communication services has been the problem and not the talent of this player. He is not to blame, WKU has to accept the responsibility of their actions and how it has effected this young mans career and dreams of football and him as a person. Football has been his life. He has no other outlet, or social life that is equal to the hear students. He is alone in his culture there and football helps to ease that outsider feeling and now a outsider on the field. Now without the ability to play his sport because of a communication problem is unforgivable and wrong. WKU should not turn the lights out on this player. They are not given any hope to this young man nor a plan to make it work better. I have been reading about other deaf players and how the University players have learned sign language and have done every thing to be able to make the world of sports a comfort zone for players that are deaf. WKU reach out ! reach out were it counts ASL.
Forgive me if I sound angry; but enough is enough can’t anyone see this young mans fight. Why is it they can only see themselves. Put yourself in his shoes and I don’t think you would agree it has been a fair playing field. WKU god has placed this player in your hands for a reason figure it out.
A scholarship to sit on the bench sounds a little
funny and does not provide nor promote esteem.
A lot of people at WKU love this KID and don’t know he is hurting he would never let you know he will put up a brave front until.
Lisa Marie said
Wow, it’s great to share with everyone about that!
riza said
Wow, this is very interesting! #99 is a talent and it is something that know one can tame or bottle it up. I saw a lot of his history on the Web. 99 has weathered some powerful storms. I know this to be true because any deaf person trying to make it the hear world have many crosses to bare. People don’t have faith in them and they are constant proving themselves; not to fit in but to let the world no I am here and I am worth my weight and gold. Have faith Muwwakkil #99 greatness is at your door. Deaf people are very proud people and they should be because they adjust to make hearing people feel comfortable. The same is little to the least that is done for them by the hearing world. To me accommodations is like providing water everyone must drink water it is natural. Well providing a interpreter is natural to provide for a deaf person just like water. It should not be a provision that scores points. It should be necessary just like water, not something anyone should beg for.
If it is anything I can do I will be honored.
What more could WKU want in a player. He is and has faced his opponets with out fear; WKU and the teams they played and the outside world.
No matter the obstacle this kid has stood tall.
Muwwakill #99 is as true as they will every be build the Gladitor. I would have loved to follow him more in his sport. Sorry he has been benched.
Like I said before knowone can bottle up talent if it really wants to show itself.
For now I send out a pray to the Universe and the Heavens to send Muwwakkil #99 your most powerful of our Gods must trusted soldiers to walk with Muwwakkil #99 so that he will feels and know he is not alone, touch this young mans very soul that he knows we are all here to lift him when he falls to shower so he grows and to shelter him when the world seems cold. This pray is to you from the bottom of my heart and breath of my soul. Everyone send out a pray for this young man as he travels the road not many have traveled from our deaf community. Even if you don’t write it know it in your heart. God is all knowing. Come out community load the web up with prays for Muwwakkil, he is one of ours. His struggle is not just his alone it is all of ours and our childern to come after us.
MOM said
THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT. I REALLY DID NOT EXPECT PEOPLE TO OPEN UP TO HIM IN THIS WAY.
TO RESPONE TO A FEW CONCERNS IS WHY I AM WRITING TODAY. IT IS TRUE THAT MUNIR HAS NOT BEEN PLAYING. THE REASON ARE STILL NOT VERY CLEAR. HOWEVER, IN PAST WEEKS MUNIR HAS BEEN HURT, NOT EVEN HIS COACH KNEW OF THE INJURY. AFTER A VERY CAREFUL LOOK INTO WHY MUNIR WAS VERY SENSATIVE TO HIS LEFT KNEE TRAINERSS AND DOCTORS TOOK IT A STEP FURTHER AND IT UNCOVERED SOME DAMAGE INSIDE THE KNEE. IT HAD TO BE REPAIRED IN SURGERY. HE HAS RECOVERED WELL AND IS DOING WELL.
IT IS POSSIBLE THAT BECAUSE OF COMMUNICATION DELAYS MUNIR WAS NOT ABLE TO GET HIS COACH TO UNDERSTAND THE DIFFCULTY HE WAS HAVING WITH THE KNEE. MUNIR EXPRESSED DISCOMFORT AND I THINK THE DISCOMFORT DID NOT REGISTER TO THE STAFF AS PAIN. DISCOMFORT OR UNCOMFORTABLE IS THE WAY MUNIR EXPRESSES PAIN.
BECAUSE OF THIS DISCOMFORT MUNIR DID NOT MAKE THE COACHES HAPPY WITH THE WAY HE PERFORMED HIS POSITION ON THE LINE. NO ONE REALLY UNDERSTOOD THAT MUNIR WAS IN PAIN THAT THIS WAS THE WAY HE EXPRESSED PAIN.
EVEN THOUGH MUNIR WAS IN PAIN HE STILL NEVER STOPPED PERFORMING AT TOP LEVEL, THE STRENGHT HE SHOWED WAS TO PROVE HE COULD OUT PERFORMED ANYONE EVEN IN PAIN. HE NEVER FAULTERED AT ALL THIS IS WHY IT TOOK SO LONG FOR ANYONE TO NOTICE HE REALLY WAS HURTING.
MUNIR WAS VERY LUCKY, ALTHOUGH NOT HAPPY ABOUT NOT BEING PLAYED, THIS VERY WELL COULD HAVE SAVED THE REST OF HIS CAREER IN SPORTS. WITH THIS REPAIR HE SHOULD BE BACK FOR THE LAST 4 TO 5 GAMES OF THE SEASON BETTER AND STRONGER THAN BEFORE.
WE WELL SEE IF WKU WILL DO THE RIGHT THING AND NOT STOP THE STAR FROM SHINING. MAYBE THEY CAN PUT THE PAST WEEKS TOGETHER A SEE WHY MUNIR HAD SUCH DISCOMFORT COMING OFF THE LINE AND GETTING DOWN ON THE LINE. MAYBE THEY WILL SAY… OH! THIS WAS WHY HE WAS NOT CONSISTANT ENOUGH.
MANY SEEM TO LOVE HIM AND THOUGHS FEW HAVE BEEN LEARNING HOW TO SPEAK WITH MUNIR. I LIKE TO THANK THEM FOR THAT; IT SHOWS THEY WOULD LIKE TO GET TO KNOW THE PERSON MUNIR NOT JUST THE PLAYER.
Teresa said
My son is a sophmore in college and playing football. He has just been approved for a Cochlear Implant. Our doctor says he can still play football. Do any of you know of anyone else with a Cochlear Implant playing football?? It would ease our minds to know he isn’t the only one!!
Thanks for any info!
MOM said
THIS IS GREAT.. SO HAPPY TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR SON. I HAVE NOT BEEN TOLD OF ANY ATHLETES THAT PLAY SPORT WITH HEAVY BODY CONTACT TO HAVE A IMPLANT. IT WOULD BE BEST TO CHECK OUT A FEW MEDICAL DOCTORS THAT ARE IN THE FIELD OF SPORTS. I KNOW THAT BECAUSE OF THE PLACEMENT OF THE IMPLANT IN THE SKULL, IT IS NOT ADVISED TO HAVE THIS TYPE OF OPERATION FOR CONTACT SPORTS. FOOTBALL IS A DANGER ALL BY ITSELF AND A HEAD INJURY IS NOT UNCOMMON. I DO KNOW THAT MANY DEAF PLAYERS DO NOT AGREE WITH THE IMPLANT AND PLAYING A SPORT LIKE FOOTBALL. CHECK WITH A SPORTS MINDED MEDICAL DOCTOR. IN ALL MY RESEARCH I FOUND THE RISK IS TO HIGH. PLUS THE WAY THE DEVISE IS DESIGNED A FOOTBALL PLAYER WOULD NOT GET MUCH USE OF THE DEVISE WHILE ON THE FIELD. IF YOU GOT A HEAD INJURY YOU WILL NOW HAVE TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE DEVISE THAT HAS BEEN IMPLANTED IN THE SKULL AND DID THE DEVISE CAUSE ANY BRAIN DAMAGE. IAM PRETTY SHOCKED THAT IMPLANT IS SAFE FOR HIGH CONTACT SPORTS. PLEASE DOUBLE CHECK AND CHECK AGAIN WITH OTHER DOCTORS.
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Teresa said
I recently checked with the Gallaudet University football coach and the Illinois School for the Deaf. They both have football players with CIs. Some wear the CIs during play and some don’t. Since my son’s doctor had OK’ed it and I’ve talked to others that also confirm its being done. I feel comfortable with the decision for him to have the CI and continue playing football. Since he never wore his hearing aids during games, he will probably not wear his CI either.
MOM said
It is really up to you what you want for your child. I happen to be one that looke at the pros and the cons of the CIs. My child never whore hearing aids at all once he got to High School. He is profound and hearing aid are of no use to him. The aid only provided noise. CI is a very big step and not one to take lightly. Many deaf people after becoming older have gotten the device and still not be able to hear.
I have many years of medical experience and made a living at it for over 24 years. I think any advancement the have for deaf people is positive. It just so happen the device was not something that was not ok with his staff of doctors and sports medical staff.
However in the long run it still was up to him and up to the family if this was a good for my son. If you are positive about this and your child is positive Iam sure it will be great for him. One way or the other if your kid is a fighter and will be included in the hearing world he must make himself happy.
My son is happy and is now a Junior in Division 1 football. This is something not even hearing kids get a chance to do. There is no other high level of football than NCAA Div 1. It is a chance of a life time and he made it being deaf and using ASL only because my son is profound and has not speach at all.
In this life you must make yourself happy and be ready for the long haul and fight for equal rights for persons that are deaf. So good luck with everything.
MOM said
please forgive the typo’s , I was saying
My child never wore heaing aides
Any advancement for deaf people is a positive one.
FRIEND said
click on this site and learn the updates on Munir Muwwakkil
NetSignNews.com – Deaf Football Player Dreams of Going Pro
Sid said
Congrats on him for showing his pride to play challenge with the hearing football team. I pray for him to do not allow to give up because I want him to show the proof that he could play an excellence likely hearing team. Just to look where the ball goes and the body language, face expressive of the team. It’s ‘TEAMWORK’.
If hearing coach say ’sorry, you can’t play because of deafness’ This is massive excuse and is probably lazy to understand.
We deafie want to have feeling pride of him successfully football player! Any deafie people should fight against hearing person for having a ‘DEAF Human right’ as they respect us. I wish him very best of luck for being successful playing. We’ll shout in supporting him when he involves with the famous team on the TV one day.