Deaf High School Football Players Play Beyond Limitations At Sacramento Camp

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SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - A high school football team is teaching the community how to play for a bigger win.

For players with the California School for the Deaf, the game is about much more than just x's and o's. It's about executing a play that is truly a sign of inspiration.

The play calls may be silent, but the playmakers still make a lot of noise. For these athletes, the love of the game transcends words.

"They don't think we can communicate well, but we actually can. So we actually prove them wrong," said Eagles cornerback Matthew Bonales.

Bonales is a senior cornerback at the California School for the Deaf in Fremont. All of his teammates are hearing impaired.

This year marks the team's seventh year at the Playmakers Camp in Sacramento that's more like a three-day character and values clinic where football just happens to be the gathering point.

"Other players get to see how you overcome adversity and how you play beyond your limitations. And Fremont School for the Deaf is just an example of what you can do when your heart is in the right place," said Coach Greg Roeszler.

Former Raiders quarterback Greg Roeszler heads up the camp where the focus is on the bigger win. And lesson one starts with this scrimmage against Golden Sierra High School.

"It's really cool. Just give them a thumbs up and smile at them and they know what you're saying," said Golden Sierra High School senior Nick White.

But in a game where screams from the sidelines are celebrated more than silence, it's the heart of these players that speaks volumes.

Click here to learn more about the California School for the Deaf.