Matt Ziesel is a name that you’ll never hear when it comes to the Missouri Tigers football program recruiting it’s next top running back, but for one moment on Monday evening, Ziesel was on top of the football world.
Matt is a special athlete who has Down Syndrome and suits up every game for the freshmen team at Benton High School in St. Joseph and cheers on his teammates from the sidelines. Well, on Monday with his team losing by a few touchdowns to Maryville High, the coaches called timeout and agreed that Benton could run "Matt’s Play." Well Matt Ziesel’s play turned into a 73 yard touchdown run.
Check out Ziesel’s long touchdown run .
A few things that are great about this video. First, I love how Matt skips into the end zone to emphatically cap off his huge run. The first one to meet him in the end zone is one of his big o-linemen who gives him a big-o-hug. The other thing that I really find touching, is after the teams start heading to their respective sidelines, two of the players from Maryville, the opposing team slap each other five. It’s the kind of hand slap you give your buddy for a job well done. What a great show of sportsmanship by both teams, the coaches, and the players. You should be proud.