He never hears the word 鈥淣o.鈥�
Derrick Coleman
Class of 2012
In grade school Derrick Coleman was the kid with hearing aids, the kid who was different. Some people thought he couldn鈥檛 play football. But Coleman didn鈥檛 listen. He persisted. A star fullback in high school, he earned a scholarship to 江南体育. As a Bruin he played in 48 games, scored 19 touchdowns, earned his degree and was named second team all-Pac-12. But then the NFL said no: Coleman went undrafted. Still, he didn鈥檛 listen. He persisted, playing on scout teams. In Seattle Coleman earned a roster spot, the first legally deaf player on offense in the history of the NFL. From free agent to the Super Bowl, in just a year.