Special Olympics teams visit Seahawks
Seahawks tight end John Carlson gets athletes ready to run an agility course with him at the training day event.
RENTON — Last Saturday, Grant County Special Olympics athletes learned to kick, pass, and run like the pros during a training day hosted by the Seattle Seahawks.
Head Coach Pete Carroll, punter Jon Ryan, cornerbacks Roy Lewis and Marcus Trufant, tight end John Carlson, Sea Gals cheerleaders, Blitz the mascot and even quarter back Matt Hasselbeck worked with more than 80 athletes and their coaches during the event.
Twenty-six Grant County athletes and seven coaches left for the Virginia Mason Athletic Center, where the Seahawks train in Renton, at 6:30 a.m. to take part in the event.
The coaches from Grant County chaperoned the event including Marvin Brooks, Robin Brooks, Jodi Truman, Derek Truman, Christie Obershaw, Curt Obershaw and Eloise Ramos.
“Events like this expose the kids to things they wouldn’t get to do normally, it’s really fun,” said Jodi Truman.
The Truman family came with their daughter Kailee, who is an athlete with Special Olympics Washington. At nine years old, Kailee is now old enough to attend this kind of event.
“We’re open to anyone eight to a hundred,” says Grant County Special Olympics Head Coach Christie Obershaw, “It doesn’t matter what sport they pick, for every student they have the opportunity to participate. Every sport has something to accommodate every skill level.”
The oldest participating athlete from Grant County was 47 years old and the youngest was 8.
“But I think I’m having more fun than they are,” Derek Truman said. “I’m living my dream right along with these guys.”
Even with the Special Olympics training happening the day before a game with the Kansas City Chiefs, players fetched footballs and showed the visiting athletes proper technique at five different stations.
Cornerback Lewis oversaw the catching station, where athletes had to dive and catch a football he had thrown.
“I think whenever you get the opportunity to help others be the best they can be, it’s really important,” said Lewis.
Lewis said that he has a cousin who is disabled and that he greatly enjoys being involved with Special Olympics.
“I like the kicking the best, I got it over the goal,” said Moses Lake athlete Kory Hasch.
Blitz, the Seahawks mascot, took every opportunity to help athletes kick and throw while occasionally making fun of onlookers.
“It’s good for our athletes to know that there are famous people out there who really care about them,” said Moses Lake resident Kima Balderas, as her daughter Marion went through an agility drill with tight end John Carlson.
The team cheerleaders, called Sea Gals, signed autographs and posed for pictures with athletes.
“It’s been really fun to do this,” said Paul Johns, a former wide receiver who now coordinates the event. “They come out to play and to enjoy competing.”
Obershaw said her athletes attended the event after successfully raising $6,000 for Special Olympics Washington.
“Everybody loves the Seahawks, so why not have my athletes work at raising that money so they can get to go and see the Seahawks,” Obershaw said.
Obershaw was named the 2010 coach of the year after working 11 years with Special Olympics athletes.
Obershaw said she was glad to see the Seahawks hadn’t forgotten the less-populated side of the state.
“It’s great to see the Seahawks aren’t just reaching the Seattle community, but Eastern Washington, too,” Obershaw said. “I’ve got some real dyed-in-the-wool Seahawks fans. It doesn’t matter if they win, lose or draw, these guys are Seahawks fans!”