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‘This Is Football’ — Tate’s Markus Baxley Scores Touchdown Of A Lifetime
October 8, 2016
Friday night was an emotional dream come true for Tate High School senior Markus Baxley, his football brothers and the entire Aggie Nation.
Markus has cerebral palsy and has spent his high school career as an honorary member of the Aggies team. He’s never scored a touchdown, made a tackle or even played a single down. But he embodies that Aggie spirit, and has always provided the support his team needs. Now his team has stepped up to make his dream of playing a reality.
Friday night, he was out of his wheelchair leading his team onto the field as he’s done before. But it was a night like never before at Pete Gindl Stadium. Markus played a special pre-game down, running with help from his team for a 10-yard touchdown. That sent his Aggie teammates rushing onto the field to celebrate the play, which will earn Markus his letter in football. (Video below.)
Click here for a photo gallery.
Not bad for a young man that doctors said would never walk and never talk.
“It was awesome,” Markus said after the play that left thousands with tears in their eyes.
Before the Aggies took the field, and before his big play, Markus fired up his teammates in his usual fashion.
“This ain’t about me,” he said in a pre-game huddle. “It’s a family effort. I’ve known you for God knows how long. Y’all don’t stop until those quarters are done. After the quarters are done, then we can celebrate…This ain’t no pretty girl pageant…This is football. Go out there and show them boys we have more heart than they do.”
Click here for a photo gallery.
For a game summary, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Comments
20 Responses to “‘This Is Football’ — Tate’s Markus Baxley Scores Touchdown Of A Lifetime”
Once an Aggie always an Aggie
You young men are real heroes in my book. It makes me proud to know that the kindness y’all have still exist. Keep the Aggie pride alive.
And Go Aggies
Boy, this story hit me in the feelings this morning…Glad to hear stories like this in a time where there is so much bad in the world. Way to go guys!
WAY TO GO,AGGIES..THIS ACT OF LOVE IS SO MUCH MORE IMPORTANT THAN ANY SUBJECTIVE GRADE OR RANKING GIVEN BY ANY STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION!!
My heart is so happy to read this inspiring story. As a parent of a young son with cerebral palsy, we want our children to be a part of activities and to not feel as though they can’t participate. I see these inspiring stories and am so glad because it let’s people see that each person with different abilities can participate, just in different ways. It’s awesome to see how the team has embraced this. Way to go!
Make’s me proud to be a Tate Alumni !!! Little things like that make us old guys have a little hope in these dreadful times. Go Aggie’s.
It is such a blessing to see such love and kindness.
This needs to go on National News. We so seldom ever hear GOOD NEWS!
Way to go Marcus, Tate and Pace !
Thank you Aggies and Pace High for making a young mans dream come true,My adopet grand son was the happys boy alive last night it made me so happy to see this. So thank to all that was involoved in this.
Yay~!
[Übercool]
This is what makes me happy to be a proud Tate alumni. It makes me proud to know my kids and grandkids attended such an institution. What that kid was able to accomplish on that football field last night he will remember forever. It is a true testament that God is always watching over us.
My heart is overwhelmed. I have my first grandson who will be 3 October 18th. He is one awesome little guy. He is so smart and has the most awesome smile. He knows so much, but he can not do what one day I pray he can. This gives me hope that one day he will go down that football field also or do all that he can whatever it is. He has cerebral palsy also. His sister, my grand daughter is in junior cheering and for homecoming, has had her brother as her escort for the past 2 years. She wheels him out with her across that field. Such an inspiring story. God is good!
This IS What Jesus Would Do.
It was an amazing and emotional story to watch. So proud to be apart of this night and for all of these players,coaches, cheerleaders and band on both sides of the field.
This is beyond amazing and awesome! I love it!!!!!
It really made my heart smile and eyes fill
with happy tears! Way to go Tate! Y’all rock!
~Signed a PHS Tiger
Way to go. I know you’ve been dreaming about this for years. So happy to see your dream come true.
Your bus aide from a few years back.
Freda Whaley
Wonderful night. Thank you Pace High school for being a part of this night to remember. Great group of Aggie player that never left one of their own behind. Markus will never forget this night but a bunch of adults will not forget either… Not a dry eye around me.
I have a nephew with the same crippling disease. Thank you Aggies for making this young mans dreams come true.
Awesome
What a heart warming story
THIS is love.