Dragons Kicker, With Autism, Redefines 'Special Needs'
Anthony Starego has autism, but is playing a vital part of the Dragons' football team
When Anthony Starego was 12 years old, he watched as Jeremy Ito lined up to kick a 28-yard field goal for Rutgers, then watched as the ball sailed through the uprights, giving the Scarlet Knights a 28-25 upset victory over the Louisville Cardinals, then ranked No. 3 in the nation. "He watched it and watched it and watched it," says Ray Starego, Anthony's father, who's been a Rutgers season ticket-holder since 1988. A few days later, Anthony went to his dad and told him he wanted to be a kicker, too. So his parents, Ray and Reylene, sought out the Brick Pop Warner program and enrolled him. The first practice didn't go smoothly. When a coach placed his hands on Anthony to move him to the right position, Anthony balked, Ray said. "He told the…
Brittney Gambone
11:29 pm on Sunday, January 20, 2013
Great story and even better that ESPN is picking it up. We need to bring more great stories like this into media. Individuals with autism and other special needs have so much to contribute...... Also, I'm glad to see the Brick Patch used person first language instead of the title I saw in Facebook- Autistic kicker.......Those things are important. more ›