NEISD football player, who is deaf, doesn’t let it sideline his dreams
Even as the sun continued to rise, the football field at Churchill High School was filled with athletes as early at 7 a.m.
For the Chargers, practice makes perfect.
With each play, outside linebacker Marshall Perez kept his focus in two places: the ball and on Kara Reekie, his sign language interpreter.
Reekie is a signing assistant at Churchill High School and has been in NEISD for 20 years.
“I’ve known Marshall since he was in 1st or 2nd grade here at North East and he’s just grown into this really awesome student,” she said.
Previously, he attended Oak Meadow Elementary School and Jackson Middle School.
Perez, now 17, is deaf, but hasn’t let that sideline him from doing what he loves.
“It’s important for me, for my future and what I want to do. I want to play football,” Perez explained through sign language.
He has been playing for five years now and is a vital part of the team, said defensive coordinator Luke Moody.
This is Moody’s 6th year as a coach at Churchill.
“He has motor. He gets the football constantly and has overcome a lot. Him and I get a lot of one on one time where we are going through calls on things he might not hear,” Moody explained.
Reekie, his interpreter, is also there for Perez during every huddle, every practice and every game.
“Just being deaf in a sport and having to adapt that way has shown through with all of this COVID-19 stuff…he’s done great,” she said.
Perez said he’s thankful for the support system that’s helped build his confidence on the field.
“All of my team gives me a lot of support. We’re really social with other. We trust each other, we play together as a team and we work hard together,” Perez added.
The high school senior plans to go to college and pursue his passion for football.
Moody said this is another shining example of why athletics is so important for students.
“Athletics helps to build and give you the tools to defeat adversity because it’s going to happen in life and you have to find a way,” he said.
Perez hopes to inspire others to never give up on their dreams, no matter what stands in the way.
To learn more about programs for students with auditory impairments in North East ISD, click here: https://www.neisd.net/site/Default.aspx?PageID=9112
Because #NEISDcares!
