SPORTS PAINTINGS

< previous -- next >

Brad Hermes
24 x 30
Acrylic on Canvas
Sold on Commission

BRAD HERMES' STORY

Deaf UT Football Player Inspires Teammates
By: Jeff Power
News 8 Austin, TX

The game of football to a hearing impaired player is almost unimaginable, but for senior Bradford Hermes it's part of life.


	Brad Hermes

"I'm going to miss that part of being on the field and with the Longhorns," the UT defensive back said. "It's just such a great privilege I've had in my life."

Hermes played his last home game on Saturday at the Royal-Memorial Stadium and even got a chance to be a part of the ceremonial coin toss at the beginning of the game.

He didn't hear the roar of the crowd, but he could see it and he knew something special was about to take place. "I just want to be able to have the privilege to be able to tell my grandchildren in the future that I was a part of this UT football team," he said.

Michael Ungar, a special teams player, is one of Hermes' best friends.

"Brad is a great guy," Ungar said. "Just walking onto the team is hard especially with his handicap, not being able to hear, so he's accomplished a lot."

Hermes wanted just one chance to play in a game during his four years on the team. Head coach Mack Brown gave him that chance on Saturday against the Kansas Jayhawks.

"I tried to talk to him some and he had his interpreter and I said, 'How are you going to know when to stop?'" Mack Brown said. "I mean, he can't hear and he said, 'Coach, I'm going to hit them as long as they're hitting me and when they stop hitting me, I'll stop hitting them. Then I'll know the play is over.'"

Bradford will graduate as an honor student in Accounting and is fullfilling a dream of playing football, proving that life is what you make of it.

"Whatever disadvantage you have and you're a special young man like Brad and you have a big heart and you want something bad enough, you can make it all work," Brown said.

"It doesn't matter being deaf or not," Hermes added. "Any kids and all kids can accomplish whatever they want. If they have a goal and if they really have the burning desire in them, they can achieve it."

< previous -- next >