Bay State boy with Down syndrome scores big

WEST ROXBURY, Mass. - A young Bay State football player scored big in a flag football game over the weekend.

In addition to tackling Down syndrome, Brayden, 4, is also competing on the football field.

Brayden's dad, Boston police officer Jared Gero, started a flag football league that hundreds of kids enjoy. His son looks forward to every game.

"His main joy is just coming down to the field with the kids, being part of the team. Up until the last game there, hiking the football was his biggest accomplishment," Gero said.

That all changed last week when Brayden got to score a real touchdown, with players from both teams cheering him on.

The other team's coach set it up.

"I just told them what the situation was, and they all agreed to it and they actually helped him down the field. It was beautiful," Mike O'Brien said.

The coach of the Storks, Brayden's team, was moved by the gesture. He said this is what sports should be about.

"That's what we try to teach the kids. It's not about what they see on TV, it's what they saw on Sunday," said Joe Sullivan, Brayden's coach.

Despite Brayden's big touchdown, the Storks ended up losing that playoff game.

But really the coaches noted, when you think about it, all of the kids ended up winners.

"Four, five, six-year olds who seemed like they got more enjoyment out of him scoring, than they did when they scored themselves," Gero said. "Competitiveness, sportsmanship, team play, learning from the kids, learning from the coaches, it was all there. And it was a moving experience that day."

It was certainly something Brayden, his dad, and everyone at the field that day will never forget.

(Copyright (c) 2009 Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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