Deaf athlete dreams of the NFL

Insight

Deaf athlete dreams of the NFL

In this segment of Insight, CCTV met with a recent college graduate determined to play in the NFL. Correspondent Sean Callebs reports on the amazing journey of an amazing young man.

The son of Egyptian immigrants, he’s had to overcome a lot and the final obstacle may be convincing the NFL to abandon any misconceptions.

Deaf athlete dreams of the NFL

In this segment of Insight, CCTV met with a recent college graduate determined to play in the NFL. Sean Callebs reports on the amazing journey of an amazing young man.

At slightly over two meters and weighing in at a trim 123 kilos, scouts say Adham Talaat has the skills to play America football at the highest level in the United States: the NFL. Adham is strong as an ox and confident, while at the same time humble. He was also born deaf. When the 2014 NFL draft was over, Adham’s name was not called.

He didn’t attend a football powerhouse. Adham went to Gallaudet University, a small school for the deaf in Washington, D.C.

A small change to Adham’s helmet when he started high school allowed him to wear his hearing aid on the field and that opened up a whole new world. Now his skills have caught the eye of the NFL.

Adham has tried out with two teams, including the defending Super Bowl champions Seattle Seahawks. The hulking defensive lineman, also a time academic all-American, puts in hours at Gallaudet’s weight room.

Adham is on the short list for a number of teams. Football or not, he has the unconditional love and support from his biggest fans, his parents who came to the United States from Egypt in the late 1970’s.

There have only been two deaf players ever to play in the NFL. All Adham wants is a level playing field and a chance. It would be a chance to show how he’s beaten every challenge life has ever thrown at him.

The deaf and blind face obstacles and advocates say more must be done to help protect their rights. CCTV’s Mike Walter interviews Shantha Rau Barriga, director of the disability rights program at Human Rights Watch, to talk about the challenges they face and what could be done to address them.

Shantha Rau on the obstacles faced by blind and deaf

The deaf and blind face obstacles and advocates say more must be done to help protect their rights. CCTV's Mike Walter interviews Shantha Rau Barriga, director of the disability rights program at Human Rights Watch, to talk about the challenges they face and what could be done to address them.