Kid with Dwons Syndrome Kicked off Football Team

[MattShizzle]

Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Let-Brett-Bowden-Play/229211873780578

Story:

http://www.change.org/petitions/the-north-carolina-high-school-athletic-association-let-brett-bowden-play-football



Rodney Brett Bowden is 19 and has Down Syndrome. He is a junior at Hobbton High School in Newton Grove, North Carolina.
Brett loves to play football, draw, play video games, and of course be a normal 19 year old boy. He has the personality and attitude that everyone wants and needs. Everyone loves Brett with all of their hearts.
He has been playing on the varsity team for Hobbton every since he was a freshman. This year Brett was very excited about playing, he had already started practicing and bonding with the team. Brett calls his teammates "his brothers."
This young boy is very passionate about this game of football and it's not like Brett even plays, he just enjoys warming up with the team, practicing, putting on that number 11 jersey and pads. This is what he looks forward to when school starts.
Now that football has started, The North Carolina High School Association has told the coaches and our family that Brett is not allowed to play because he is 19 years old. Everyone is heartbroken by what they have told us. We are trying to fight this because everyone in the community believes that there are ways around the rules!
He isn't really even playing! They just have him on the team to make him AND the team feel good, but the stick in the muds have to be idiots.

[Mythbuster]

I said this on another forum and I'll say it here. I think there are stuff that qualifies as serious illegal discrimination and totally ridiculous stuff.

We seriously need to define what is reasonable. If the kid was taken off the team cos he has D'S, that is wrong and is punishable. However, I don't see anything wrong in taking someone off a team cos they're not really playing.

[MattShizzle]

It wasn't the team/school's decision it was the regulatory organization and because he was 19.

[Mythbuster]

Ah didn't see that! NO that shouldn't be allowed at all. There really shouldn't be an age limit for hs sports, as long as you attend the hs of course.

[MattShizzle]

And he doesn't even play. He just suits up and puts on the helmet and sits with the team. The school was OK with it, the team liked it and it made him happy. No effect on games and hurt nobody.

[Mythbuster]

True...That's my original argument though. There isn't anything wrong with kicking someone off the team who is minority just because they can't play or they aren't s good as someone. Seems harsh, but I think something's have gone too far.

I believe the kid should be at lease thought if as a mascot or part of the team.

I know several good friends with DS.

[Geiseric]

I think they should have let him stick around and have fun regardless of age, disorder, or whatever. I mean, I get why the over 18 rule exists, but at least work something out off the record or something. I'd hate it if somebody who enjoyed football, probably more than everybody on the team, got kicked off and had nothing else to look foward to every day. even if he was just water boy, he should still be allowed to hang out with his friends during their practice, and catch punts and stuff, if he likes doing it and being with his friends.