Wooster High's ( Reno, NV) Deaf Football Player
Channel: Paul Harris
Date: 30/11/2016

RENO, Nev. (KOLO) - Meet Josh Buentiempo, a freshman defensive back and running back at Wooster High School. By all accounts he is your average 14-year-old, except that he is deaf.

During Oklahoma drills, his coaches give him praise when he does well, and counseling when he doesn't.

Buentiempo has to sometimes rely on his teammates for help.

"Sometimes when I miss the plays and then my teammates will tell me what the play is so I don't get messed up," said Buentiempo.

Coaches have switched to hand signals to help, but also to improve their offense.

"A lot of times in our games we won't huddle up," said Art Lyon, head coach. "We'll call the signals and not just Josh knows them; we all know the signals, so we can communicate like that and it has helped us with out hurry up offense."

Buentiempo also has the help of a translator, Mandee Kahn, at practices and games. She has had to learn X's and O's as well.

"Absolutely, it has improved immensely," said Mandee Kahn, translator. "I knew nothing before I started."

To his teammates, Buentiempo is just Josh, as they are collectively trying to add to the win column.

"'Cause I don't really think about him being deaf," said John Reagan, freshman. "He's just a normal kid. He is just a part of the team and my friend."

And Buentiempo would not have it any other way.

"I feel connected with all the team, not just because I am deaf, as a family, friends."