Advertisement

Jamaal Charles speaks of time in Special Olympics

By Alex Butler
Kansas City Chiefs receiver Jamaal Charles (L) picks up yardage after catching a pass in the second quarter of the NFL Pro Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona January 25, 2015. UPI/Art Foxall
1 of 3 | Kansas City Chiefs receiver Jamaal Charles (L) picks up yardage after catching a pass in the second quarter of the NFL Pro Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona January 25, 2015. UPI/Art Foxall | License Photo

LOS ANGELES, July 27 (UPI) -- Before he was blazing down the field of Arrowhead Stadium, Jamaal Charles was showcasing himself in the Special Olympics.

Charles, 28, gave a very motivational speech at Saturday's opening ceremony. Charles, who had a learning disability as a child, competed and won the gold medal in track and field as a special olympics athlete. Charles would also go on to make the Big 12's second-team all-academic squad at the University of Texas.

Advertisement

"I was afraid," Charles said. "I was lost. When I was a boy, I had trouble reading. I found out I had a learning disability. People made fun of me. They said I would never go anywhere. But I learned I can fly. When I was 10 years old, I had the chance to compete in the Special Olympics. That's right — the Special Olympics gave me my first chance to discover a talent I did not know I had."

Charles gave the brief speech before leading the large crowd in the athlete oath.

"Let me win," Charles said. "But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."

Advertisement

Charles has 6,856 rushing yards and 38 rushing touchdowns. He has piled up 9,122 yards from scrimmage in 95 career games.

Latest Headlines