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Saturday, September 1, 2007
Ryan’s Song
Western Arkansas, AR
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Farmington Linebacker Endures Friday Night Silence
Third graders on the Packers of Fort Smith’s pee wee football league hadn’t scored a touchdown all season. In their final game, occured in the form of a short, skinny fullback named Ryan Mahoney.
Taking the handoff, Mahoney started his attempt for 6 by bobbing and weaving through opponents for 50 yards before tripping and falling a few yards shy of the end zone. The hopes and dreams of the “mean green” seemed lost, but on the very next play, that same number was called — touchdown!
The crowd erupted on both sides and the players struggled to hoist their teammate on their shoulders in excitement. Their efforts were enough to put a smile on everyone’s face. The family’s ride home was even brighter because the car was full of laughter and recapping of the game’s events.
“Ryan, did you hear how loud the fans were screaming? They were going nuts,” his dad said. The young boy’s response quickly turned that moment of joy into a quiet one, too quiet, because what Mahoney heard was silence.
Mahoney suffers from permanent hearing loss, and the cause for his case is unknown.
“I have seen doctors, and they aren’t really sure what happened,” said Ryan. “They say it’s nerve damage and could have happened when I was two or three.”
For many, a phantom hearing loss would be an opportunity to store anger or make excuses, but not for Mahoney. He strives to not let his hearing problem become a distraction or a handicap — especially on the football field.
Moving to Northwest Arkansas in the spring of 2007, Ryan, the eldest of nine siblings, didn’t forget to pack one special item, his football resume. The middle linebacker/fullback combo has had the opportunity to play for several coaches during his pigskin tenure, with national powerhouse Jenks (Okla.) High sitting atop the list.
It’s that experience that has the Farmington coaches all smiles going into the fall.
“Covering from B gap to B gap [the holes on the defensive line], he’s one of the best I’ve ever had,” said Cards defensive coordinator Jay Harper. “He’s just a great player who has been coached well where he came from, and that makes my job a whole lot easier.”
Mahoney is able to perceive sound while in the classroom, thanks to the help of hearing aids, but because football is a physical sport, he is forced to play the game without its sweet melody.
To help him at his defensive position, the coaches have developed a wristband that lists the schemes and plays with numbers that can be signaled in from the sideline. His teammates also will play a vital role in making sure he knows the call before the ball is snapped and when the play is dead. But that doesn’t mean mistakes haven’t been made in the past.
“I hit someone late in the game one time because I couldn’t hear the whistle, and I was flagged for a personal foul,” noted a concerned Mahoney.
For those worried about taking a late shot from the player, rest assured that Farmington coaches will be giving local refs a heads-up about their silent weapon.
Mahoney is a solid player and a good kid who goes home each night to a loving family. Just in case people, like many, might forget, he’s also deaf.
It may have caused him to trip and fall just short of being a great player in the eyes of some, but you can guarantee he will get up and score for his team.
“My goal this year is to go to the state championship,” Mahoney said. “We have the coaches, we have the players and we have everything we need to get the job done.”
If you find yourself in the way of the Cardinals as they work to meet their goal this season, look out for the middle linebacker, he will hit you.
You may not even hear him coming.
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