Nov 27, 2008 10:01 pm US/Eastern
Wellesley Student Inspires Team From Sidelines
WELLESLEY (WBZ) ―
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While William Fahey can't play football, he's part of the team and continues to inspire the players from the sidelines.
WBZ
Hundreds of high school students took to the gridiron on Thanksgiving, but one Wellesley teenager who desperately wants to be on the field couldn't participate.
But that hasn't kept him from being a big part of the team.
It's the oldest Thanksgiving Day football rivalry in the country.
On Thursday, the Needham Rockets took on the Wellesley Raiders in their 121st turkey game.
On the sideline anxiously waiting was 13-year-old William Fahey, but he wasn't there to play. He's here to inspire.
"I love his spirit, his enthusiasm, his fire," said Raiders head coach Bill Tracey. "It gets us going."
William has cerebral palsy, which makes it tough for him to stand for long periods of time.
But all his life's he's had one dream.
"I know we put him to bed many nights with tears in his eyes, saying 'I want to play sports, Mom. I want to play football,'" said William's mother, Liz Fahey.
This year, thanks to his best friend and starting quarterback Brendan Brooks, the team gave William a starting position.
On the sideline Willams has made quite a name for himself.
"He can't get on the field, and he wants to so badly, so it gives you a sense of how lucky we are being able to play football," said Brendan.
William knows he'll never be able to physically play with his teammates, but that doesn't stop him from being a leader on this team, and he knows his position to motivate and inspire others is special.
And when his raiders are down at half time, William scores big.
"I don't think we've won a game with him on the sideline, but he's still smiling and makes you realize how lucky you are," Brendan said.
"I feel happy right now because I'm on the team," William said.
The Wellesley Raiders lost the game Thursday, but William says he will be back next year and cheering from the sidelines once again.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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