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High School Athlete Overcomes Incredible Odds To Play Football

POTTSTOWN, Pa. (CBS) -- At Pottstown High School, their football team boasts one of the most special players in our region.

"My name is Marvin Pearson. I can't see, but I can still kick butt on the football field."

Marvin can't see. He also can't hear, as he's been fitted with cochlear implants. But that's not stopping him from doing what he loves.

"I want people to understand that you're able to overcome any obstacle set in your path, whether it's an amputated body part or being blind, or hearing impaired."

Helping him run through his obstacles are Marvin's bodyguards. Draeden Musso and Zack Griffin are his guides on and off the field.

Draeden is his best friend and says every day with Marvin is a lesson.

"It can teach people that no matter what you're going through, there is always another side to it. And you can do anything you put your mind to."

And Zack is Marvin's eyes and ears on the gridiron.

"I walk him up and down the field and I tell him everything that's going on. I want to make him feel like he is watching the game, like he knows exactly what's going on."

Outside of football, Marvin is always on the go.

"I wrestle, I play ball and I run track. I rap, I read a lot. And I own 17 fantasy football teams."

Next year, Marvin hopes to attend Temple or Kutztown, and plans to become a sports agent.

Assistant principal and coach Jeff Delaney says no matter the situation, Marvin is always upbeat.

"He's got that love of life. He walks through the hallway and I'm always on his case, he's always got a woman helping him. But he's always having fun. School can be stressful, it's his senior year, but you wouldn't know it."

When asked to sum Pearson up in one word, Delaney says, "alive."

 

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