Jared Alula, 13, is a football star, but not in the traditional sense. The teen from Montgomery Country, MD, has Down syndrome and a heart condition, so he steps up on the gridiron in a larger-than-life way.

Alula has been hospitalized more than 40 times in his life, according to what his parents told WUSA9. He loves sports, and still likes to keep active, but with a pacemaker in his chest, his running and jumping have to be limited.

He doesn’t like to talk about his heart condition, other than to say it’s “rough.” But, football? He’ll discuss that all day.

After learning about Alula and his love for the game Montgomery Village youth football coach Joseph Hooks invited the teen to join the team on the sideline for practices and games. That’s where Alula offers advice and encouraging words to players who need a little bright spot amid clashing helmets and pads. He also celebrates each touchdown or big play with the best dance moves in the region.

Seeing Alula’s dedication and heart, Coach Hooks arranged a very special play for the very special player.

“They say — they saw me and they said ‘you can be great. You can do this. You’ve got to run to the touchdown and dance,” Alula told WUSA9.

So, in late October, he suited up and took a handoff from the quarterback. He ran up the right side of the field and into the end zone, where he danced with players from both squads to celebrate his first touchdown and a dream he never thought would come true.

 

 

“Don’t let anybody stop you from trying to do what you want to do, because a lot of people look up to you because of your skills, okay? I’m proud of you,” Hooks told him.

Who can’t root for a player and a coach like that?