when Atkinson , recently named the head football coach at Keller High School , met LaPlante for the first time and he proclaimed to one day play for him on the Indians football team .
Though his love of sports made him yearn to play football since the age of five , LaPlante ’ s family accepted that it was not possible for him to play since he was born with Down Syndrome . Individuals with Down Syndrome run a greater risk of brain injury if they sustain a blow to their head or neck , so playing football as doctor ’ s told them , was not possible .
The doctor ’ s advice didn ’ t deter LaPlante from being a part of the team . And his enthusiasm for the game proved to the new head coach that he belonged too .
“ He didn ’ t dress out with the team for the first two years because I wanted him to earn his spot ,” said Coach Atkinson . “ He went with the freshmen team and traveled to away games kind of as a manager . But he was always at practice , every day .” hand-off , run 10 yards and head to the sidelines for a hug from Coach Atkinson . The opponent for the final regular season game in which LaPlante would play was Richland High School , coached by Gary Weir , a close friend of Coach Atkinson . The two agreed that on the first play of the fourth quarter LaPlante would enter the game , run through the line untouched , get his first-down run and celebrate with his teammates on the sideline afterward .
“ Lyndon came home from practice that week during his senior year and said , ‘ Hey Mama , Coach said I might get to play in the game this Friday !’” said Genni LaPlante , his mom . “ I thought to myself , ‘ Well maybe ,’ But surely it wasn ’ t going to be a real play in the actual game .”
But the more Coach Weir thought about it and what Coach Atkinson had shared with him about LaPlante , the more he thought the run should lead to a touchdown . Little did either coach know what would happen next
Lyndon had an assistant on the sidelines who helped him with his clipboard duties , five-year-old Colton , who also served as the team ’ s ball boy .
“ In the beginning at practice , Lyndon would sit on a golf cart and help move things around for the staff ,” said Colton . “ I would always pester him to come play catch with me or run around with the ball . Lyndon would always tell me he didn ’ t have time because was focusing on learning plays just in case he ever needed to go in the game - so he would be ready .”
By his junior year in 2003 , LaPlante had earned the coaches and players ’ respect through his positive attitude and work ethic . Coach Atkinson said it occurred to him that LaPlante should be on the team and even learn a play , one that might eventually lead to his participation in the game .
Issued jersey No . 1 and listed on the official team roster as Keller High ’ s “ secret weapon ,” LaPlante had lived up to his word . And he said he couldn ’ t have done it without the strength and empowerment he learned from Coach Atkinson ’ s example .
“ I really felt that Coach was giving me an opportunity to be the best that I could be ,” said LaPlante .
“ As a coach , we are in the business of influencing the lives of young people ,” said Atkinson . “ I ’ ve always thought about Lyndon - what would it be like if he were my son ? Or , if I was Lyndon ? I wanted to give him every opportunity that every other kid gets .”
The play called for LaPlante to receive the ball on a
Lyndon LaPlante scratches his head listening to Coach Kevin Atkinson discussing an offensive formation with quarterbacks Luke McDougall and Colton Atkinson during a home game against The Colony .
would eventually make LaPlante a legend in at least two communities in North Texas .
Following a fourth quarter stop , Richland delivered an amazing punt that would trickle , roll and bounce all the way to the Keller 1-yard line . The epic punt set up an unbelievable run as LaPlante took his hand-off , burst through the line and raced down the field for a 99-yard touchdown run .
The moment , caught on video by several fans in the stands , went viral at a time before anyone knew or used the term going “ viral ” to describe a video that received millions of Internet views . The video made LaPlante an inspiration to others and a local celebrity , while Coach Atkinson received letters from parents and citizens from across the country who saw the 99-yard score on their local television newscasts .
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