BRISTOL, Conn. (WFSB) – “Everyone deserves to play.”
That’s the playbook of the Bristol Bulldogs football team.
Under the lights in Bristol, in the center of a huddle of 12 and 13-year-old players, is the heart and soul of this football team.
13-year-old Jayvyn Jones has been more than embraced by his teammates.
“He should be a part of it and everybody should be able to play,” said Chase Loveall, Bristol football player. “It’s a pleasure to be with all of them, you know?”
After begging his mom to play football for years, Jayvyn’s mom gave in.
“He has trisomy, so I never thought that could be a possibility. But he just kept asking all the time,” said Nicole Mercado, Jayvyn’s mom. “We came down and the first day and we have not been able to get him away. There was a time where he would ask me if he was normal, and now he’s starting to feel like he is. He definitely is.”
The 8th graders run special plays for Jay.
“He’s always there for all of us, when we run our laps he’s always running them with us,” said Logan Annelli, Bristol player.
The ones who finish first turnaround and go back for him so they can all finish together as a team.
“It’s just been great to watch the kids treat him like a teammate. To show everybody what camaraderie is. This is their big moment, it’s 8th grade, and it’s their last year. You would think they would want this for them and they still make time to make it about him as well,” said Nicole.
“It was important because everyone needs to be treated fairly on the team, especially Jay,” Logan said
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