Football huddle - Research Paper Example

Topic s of Learning: The Football Huddle There is no doubt that deaf people can be productive and creative in various facets of human life. While history may have few accounts of the achievements that made by deaf people, there a number of instances deaf individuals have made a mark in sports particular in football. The football huddle is one of the significant contributions of the deaf in the field of football. According to Waters (2010), football teams huddle about themselves together whenever they are facing their opponents—a practice that was invented at the Gallaudet University.

The practice of huddling is a salient characteristic of the football game that has been used by many teams since its invention. During a match, it is common to see players huddle about themselves in what looks like a circle.Origin The modern practice of huddling has a long history that is attributed to deaf students in the Gallaudet University. It is believed that the practice of football huddling began in the Gallaudet University during a football match between two deaf teams when Paul Hubbard deaf football players conceived the idea of using huddling as a competitive strategy against their opponent (Corner, 2000).

The invention of huddling in football was an invention of the deaf student who had reduced in number in the school. From the Gallaudet University, this was one of the remaining universities in the United States, the use of the football huddle spread to other teams that could hear and talk with each other. Indeed, the practice of huddling had taken deep root in football to this date. As a result, of the far-reaching influence of the football huddle, players of many sports such as football huddle during their match.

Reasons for huddling When the deaf students in the Gallaudet University first huddled during a football match, they did so in a bid to hide their tactics from their rival team. Paul Hubbard, who is accredited for inventing the football huddle feared the sign language meant for communication with his teammates were open to interpretation from other teams. As a result, he quickly thought that huddling would help prevent others from seeing them as he signed to his team. In one account, the Gallaudet University football team defeated Norfolk 20-0 because the Norfolk team did not see the value of huddling together (Conner, 2000).

Today, huddling is used for communication of the teams not only to hide their conversations, but to escape the distraction of people in the field.Biography of Kenny Walker—a deaf NFL player The contribution of the deaf people in sports should not be underestimated. Some deaf players like Kenny Walker have represented the deaf people in NFL, where they have demonstrated that the deaf people can make an impact. Walker, who joined the NFL at 24 years in 1991, is believed to be deaf, and he could not even hear his mother speaking (Chafin & Grindstaff, 2009).

Walker became deaf because of childhood meningitis, but he was not ready to give up. With his acceptance into the NFL, Walker inspired many deaf students who continued to regard him as a role model. During his participation in football, Walker emerged as the second deaf player in the whole NFL history. In addition, Walker managed to secure himself as one of the best football players in his team. At one point, he was named as one of the best, UPI’s Big Eight Defensive player of the year. Without doubt, Walker had proven that he could still manage to win to play football despite his handicap (Chafin & Grindstaff, 2009).

ReferencesChafin, S. & Grindstaff, B. J. (2009).knack American Sign Language: a step-by- step guide to signing. CT: Globe Pequot, Corner, F. (2000). Footballs most wanted: the top 10 book of the games outrageous characters, fortunate fumbles, and other oddities. Texas: Potomac Books.Waterss. T. J. (2010). Hyperformance: Using Competitive Intelligence for Better Strategy and Execution. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.