A local football story that has been receiving some national attention. When it comes to awareness, the saying is: “Autism Speaks”.
In this case, it’s an autism story that will speak to your heart.
Lake Howell's C.J. Williams scored his first touchdown in a 10-7 victory over East Ridge
“The play was LIZ 19, it's the name of it, it’s a designed quarterback run to the outside, of the left side, he took the snap, went off the left tackle there and punched it in to the endzone,” explains Silverhawks offensive coordinaator Tyler Lampe
“We warmed up before the game, practiced it, to see if he could it, and he kept spiking it before he crossed the endzone," says Silver Hawks linebacker Steven Crabbe. "What went through my mind during the actual play was like hopefully he gets past the endzone this time.”
“He just got it crossed over," explains head coach Dave Wensyel." We had him at the five, and we had to move it up to the three, and he was really excited, he’s never gets to do it. He comes out here and runs around, but never does that , he was so excited that he spiked the ball every time we practiced it, he spiked it!”
“I did pretty good man!, says Williams. "They (team mates) love me, that’s right!”
The play, agreed to by both coaching staffs, came on an untimed down at the end of the first half. It didn't count on the stat sheet but it did to C.J. who's autism wasn't going to keep him out of the endzone.
“He has been here for four years, been watching, cheering us on, but he finally got the chance to put on the pads, and get it to the game. This was was a big deal for him and for us,” says Crabbe.
“He’s the most popular guy on campus, everybody know him more than they do our principal and teachers. He’s just well known, he’s loved by everybody. The feedback has been unbelievable, people have been so excited, it was an awesome thing,” says Wensyel.
Lampe gives an assessment of C.J.'s measurables. “He’s a big bruiser now, all of 5-10, 225, he’s a big bruiser, he’s got a pretty good arm on him too, comes out and throws with the guys every day, loves playing football right? He’s a great character kid, he’s always energetic, picks the kids up and is always excited, and he’s great to be around.”
Word of CJ's night in the spotlight spread beyond the borders of Seminole County and the State of Florida.
"As far as the publicity and the press, and how big this guy’s gotten, we never expected to take off the way it did, we just wanted to do something for the guy," says Lampel.
Crabbe was equally impressed. “I was surprised. I knew it blew up in the state of Florida, I know it ws going to do well here, but I was surprised when other stations, and the New York Post talked about it so. It was pretty cool seeing it blow up to how it was”
“ I never dreamed of doing the impact we’ve had, just the people writing us and emailing us the letters. It’s been unbelievable, it’s been so cool. It’s definitely the best moment of my coaching career,” says Wensyel.
C.J. is handling the publicity just fine." That’s right….there was a camera in my face. (They were here to see you, ya know?) That’s right!”
"The thing people need to be aware of is the capabilities of people that do have autism," says Lampe. "Not that it’s out there and exists, and people have it…there are people that are very capable of things that you and I are capable of, but you wouldn’t know it just by hearing the word autism or autistic.”
Crabbe agrees. “It shows that they are people too, they just think differently. There’s nothing wrong with them, other than they’re not just the same as all of us so. If you just give them the opportunity they are going to want to take it because they aren’t usually given the opportunity”
Wensyel has a personal "special needs" connection to the story. “My son has cerebral palsy, and the fact that CJ can go through and do what he is doing, my son is a mild case, but at the end of the day there are some challenges, and to see CJ do those things, we talk about that at home. He still young, just turned 7, but we talk about that at home not to let that affect you, and to keep trying and work hard.”
“I tell kids all the time, you can have a bad day out here, but this guy never has a bad day," says Lampe. "So whatever is going on in your life, something at home, school, or on the football field, it’s never as bad as you think it is, and this is a place we can come together, unite for a common goal, do the right things together.”
He's taught lessons to everyone he ecounters, but C.J. picked up a ting or two about the perils of wearing a football uniform, "He told me to hit my butt like that! (Laughing). I knew it was you! Like that! (The pat means just a good game.) I know, that’s right!”
C.J. actually got in the game report by performing the final kneel down from the victory formation at the end of the game. Lake Howell won 10-7, their first only victory of the season. C.J. also had to pass a physical and meet FHSAA eligibility requirements to get on the field.
Williams is also a a huge Florida State fan, and has a huge collection of VHS tapes of old Seminoles games, that he watches often. His favorite player is a former UCF Knight, however. Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles befriended CJ, while he was playing at Oviedo and coaching in the Pop Warner Challenger league. The two remain good friends to this day.