Trailblazing Seattle Seahawks fullback Derrick Coleman Jr.--the first
deaf athlete to play offense in the NFL--tells his inspirational journey
of persevering through every obstacle, remaining dedicated to the hard
work and a no-excuses attitude that ultimately earned him a Super Bowl
victory. Great for readers of all ages.
Even at a young age, if anyone told Derrick Coleman what he couldn't do,
he'd just reply, "Watch me." Diagnosed as hearing-impaired at age three,
he faced a potentially limited future, but neither he nor his family
were going to let that happen. Now Derrick shares the story of his
remarkable journey toward NFL stardom, of the friends and colleagues who
cheered him on when skeptics tried to chip away at his confidence, and
of how every challenge he faced only strengthened his resolve.
At the heart of his story is his unconventional family, whose one
constant was always love. When Derrick was misunderstood as "difficult,"
or bullied and laughed at by schoolmates, he removed his hearing aids
and listened instead to his mother's advice: Never let anyone else tell
you how far you can go.
Playing football became an outlet for Derrick's restless energy and a
way of proving he could forge his own path. As a senior at UCLA, he
became a standout, an award-winning player who led his team with eleven
touchdowns and demonstrated to the world what his heart had known all
along: He had what it took to be a champion.
No Excuses is more than just Derrick Coleman's story as a sports
legend, inspirational role model, and icon. It's a motivating and unique
testament to the human spirit, to the potential inside everyone who has
ever faced difficult obstacles. It's about aiming high in life, giving
it your all, and never ever settling for excuses.
