Double amputee inspires high school football teammates

Joe Martel III walks on two prosthetic legs.

Yet, he plays football, for his high school team in Beggs, Oklahoma, reports Stephen Spiewak of MaxPreps.com.

Martel's head coach, Lee Blankenship, says the freshman defensive lineman's impact on his team is profound.

"When one of our kids feels like they're having a bad day, they look over at Joe and see that smile, see his work ethic. Man, it really motivates and inspires our kids," Blankenship says.

Martel beams when he talks about the sport he's played since childhood. He says he enjoys the contact on the field. He takes part fully at practice.

But Martel was born with a condition called tibia hemimelia, meaning he didn't have shin bones.

"I was born without a tibia in my bones," Martel said. "I had my legs and feet. If they wouldn't have amputated my legs, I wouldn't have been able to play football."

Before long, Martel was on the gridiron.

His father, Joe Martel Jr., says the younger Martel once experimented by placing a drink koozie on the end of his legs. When he seemed comfortable and sprinted across the living room, the elder Martel knew it wouldn't be long before his son would be attempting an athletic career.

"From then on, we knew that he was going to be able to participate in sports and do other things," Martel Jr. said.

In youth football, Martel earned reps at running back and even scored a touchdown.

Now, he's playing high school ball, inspiring those around him, and overcoming a condition that would keep many others away from sports.