Beloved ‘Mr. Riesel’ lives out dream of scoring touchdown: ‘No one deserves it more’
RIESEL, Texas (KWTX) - A beloved high school student who participates in Special Olympics and is known as “Mr. Riesel” got a chance to live out his dream of scoring a touchdown at a high school game.
The Riesel Indians even made sure that 10th grade life skills student CJ Rodriguez, who is known as the team’s biggest cheerleader, was in full uniform for his big moment.
“No one deserves it more,” Riesel Superintendent Brandon Cope told KWTX. “He is Mr. Riesel. The way he loves all of our students and supports them at everything --for him to be able to hear his name and have everyone cheer and be a part of something he loves so much with the students, it was a special night.”
The play happened as the Riesel Indians against the Bruceville Eddy Eagles Friday night in Eddy.
The team all lined up for a kickoff before the official start of the game. CJ got the ball and returned it all the way down the field for a touchdown.
You can hear the crowd from both sides roar as players ran alongside CJ holding up a #1.
He then ran the ball in for a two-point conversation.
“He was the shining star of Riesel last night,” Cope said.
When asked if he enjoyed scoring a touchdown, CJ said, “It was good. I liked it because I get to hang out with all my friends.”
Cope said CJ is always the first to cheer on the team following a loss. When Cope heard CJ mention his dream of playing, he knew they had to make it happen.
“He casually made a comment that he wished he could play football and have a helmet,” Cope said.
Cope talked to Riesel Head Football Coach Robert Little and Little said Bruceville Eddy’s caring staff would make for the perfect game.
Cope praised Bruceville Eddy Head Coach Marcial Chapa and Superintendent Richard Kilgore for their support along with players from both teams.
A video captured the moment CJ first found out he’d get to play as he ran to his teachers to tell them the news.
“He’s got a spot!” CJ cheerfully said. “Coach said, I get to play tomorrow!”
CJ also got in the game to protect the quarterback as Riesel took a knee to win 27-20.
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