Madison- The Discovery Middle School football team completed its 2017 season losing to crosstown rival Liberty as both teams were undefeated headed into the annual showdown. Despite the loss to Liberty, the Panthers of Discovery may have come out winners in a totally different way than on the scoreboard. Each of the players and coaches associated with the squad were blessed to have Jacob Johnson on the team as his desire to just play the game was an inspiration to all.

Jacob is autistic. His “high functional” level of the disorder allowed him to tackle the sport of football head on and without reservation. “I like to smash my opponents by making a good tackle and put ‘em down,” said Jacob, who is 5-foot-7 and 175 pounds. “I’m never scared. No way. Plus, I want to be a good sport.”

The son of Nathan and Jennifer Johnson, Jacob was diagnosed with autism at age three. His parents thought he suffered some type of seizure disorder until the diagnosis came in. He has gone through years of therapy and some help from medications. Dealing with his short attention span, Nathan and Jennifer enrolled Jacob into T-ball by age five and also karate lessons. He became a member of the Discovery concert/jazz band where he plays three instruments. He can play the euphonium, trumpet and drums. He’s currently on the drum line at Discovery.

Blessing For The Team

But football has pushed him to a level of confidence and communication he has never before achieved. Jennifer said of Jacob’s playing football, beginning three seasons ago, “Yes, football has absolutely helped Jacob as he used to isolate himself and had problems of trying to communicate. He is much better now as he has learned to communicate and be much more independent.”

“He has brought a lot to the table for our team as he doesn’t complain,” said Cedric Jackson head coach of Discovery. “He has been a blessing for us. He’s always a bright spot for the team and all of the kids like him. He’s plays defensive line and loves the chance at making a good tackle.”

Band Drumsticks

The presence of autism has risen to one in every 68 births in the United States. Autism is treatable as children do not outgrow autism, but early diagnosis and using activities such as football has led to significantly improved outcomes. For Jacob and his family, including his older sister who is a freshman at Bob Jones, the chance to play football and play in the school band has been marvelous steps in facing autism and its effects on everyone around the 13-year old Discovery eighth grade student.

“We’ve always been open about the disorder as we talk about it openly,” said Jennifer. “We don’t shy away from it. Jacob associates his autism with of the inability not to be able to do certain things. He has accepted his condition.”

“I like playing the music for the band. I love being on the drumline. Instead of using my mouth, I use my drumsticks,” added Jacob with a huge laugh.

He wore No. 64 this season for Discovery. He played in all but two games and showed he has football talent on the line man-to-man action. Seeing Jacob play was sort of bitter-sweet for his family as he worked hard to doing everything asked of him all the while wearing a big smile and doing everything in joyous ways.

“It’s important for him to experience not playing in games,” added Jennifer. “Yes, he gets upset he sometimes doesn’t get to play, but that only makes him try harder.”

Solve The Problem

Everywhere Jacob goes he carries a radiance of happy. All who meet him immediately fall in love with him as he is always happy and has amazing comedic timing. His family continue to work with him move in the direction to be independent. His social skills is three years younger than his age of 13, but playing football certainly narrowed that gap.

Jacob was born in Alpena, Michigan and his family is currently in their fourth year in Madison among its second stay in the city. Nathan’s work in the military has twice brought the Johnson family to the community.

Jacob pondered for a few moments the question of his advice for others who suffer from autism. He answered, “You can do everything you want, just stand up to it and take the chance. Keep up you’re your team and solve the problem.”

Jacob is well aware the 2017 football season did not end like he and the rest of his teammates had hoped. In his true winning attitude he shared with his team, he added, “Too bad we didn’t make it to the championship game.”