We’re all big football fans here at Acadian Hearing, and each year we look forward to football season as summer winds down to fall. Their athleticism is impressive, both on and off the field, but did you know that several famous NFL players have hearing loss?
Hearing loss didn’t stop these incredible athletes from doing what they love, and we hope that their stories inspire you to achieve your aspirations, whether they be in the sporting world or not. Here are four inspiring NFL players who deal with hearing loss.
Bonnie Sloan
One of the first deaf NFL players was Bonnie Sloan, who played with the St. Louis Cardinals back in 1973. At that time, deafness was much more of a challenge in sports; his high school football coach didn’t even want to let him try out.
Kenny Walker
Kenny Walker is a famous player from the early ’90s who played for the Denver Broncos. As a toddler, he developed hearing loss after getting spinal meningitis, but he never let that stop him.
Walker was named the NFL’s Most Inspirational Player and has helped many other deaf players. Fans of Walker at the University of Nebraska used the sign language sign for “applause” to show him how appreciated he was on the field!
Reed Doughty
Reed Doughty was drafted by the Washington Redskins in 2006. Hearing loss runs in his family, so his own hearing loss wasn’t as difficult for him to come to terms with, unlike others who have little understanding of hearing loss.
He never let it slow him down, though he admits that his hearing aids, which are waterproof and dust- and shock-resistant, have made a significant difference.
Derrick Coleman
Lauded as one of the first Deaf football players to become a Super Bowl champion, Derrick Coleman is a former NFL fullback who has played with the Seattle Seahawks, the Atlanta Falcons, and the Arizona Cardinals.
Diagnosed with hearing loss at the age of three, Coleman has been legally Deaf since he was a toddler; on the field, he read lips through helmets and wore hearing aids.
Now, he works as the assistant to player engagement for the Green Bay Packers and doesn’t let his hearing loss stop him from doing his job.
Score a Touchdown With Hearing Care
Whether you’re watching games at home or going to stadiums to experience them in person, make sure to look after your hearing like these athletes do. If you’ve ever been in the crowd at a football game, you will know how loud it gets! Make sure to wear earplugs if you’re attending a game at a stadium.
For fans watching at home and in bars, it can still get pretty loud, so try to take a break from the noise occasionally. That way, you can avoid waking up with a ringing sound in your ears the following day.
If you have any concerns about your hearing, or if you’d like to find out about custom hearing protection, we’re here to help.
Simply request a callback and we’ll get in touch to answer questions or alleviate concerns. For a more immediate chat, call us at (337) 436-3277.
