GRAYSLAKE, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- A first of its kind football tournament is coming to the Chicago area this weekend, and putting a spotlight on an inspiring group of athletes.
The Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association is hosting the area’s first ever USA Wheelchair Football League Tournament at College of Lake County in Grayslake Saturday and Sunday.
“It’s played seven-on-seven on concrete,” said Program Manager Mak Nong. “We wear helmets for safety issues, but honestly, it’s a bunch of top end athletes who go out there, try scoring on each other and enjoy their time out there.”
Nong also serves as a captain of the Chicago Bears Wheelchair Football Team.
“I think it’s so huge from the inclusion piece, just to show that it doesn’t matter if you have a disability or not, it’s about your ability and what you use to showcase what you have and be the best athlete you can be.”
Teams from seven cities are expected to take part in the season opener, and Nong is expecting a major turnout.
“They’re going to see a lot of action, a lot of speed and a lot of collisions.”
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