Video: West Seneca East Kid Lives A Football Dream

Sports can be fantastic. In fact, it can sometimes soothe the soul.

Look no further than Hamburg, New York on Tuesday evening, when during a season-finale modified football game between West Seneca East and Frontier, a child was afforded the opportunity to live out a dream.

Late in the fourth quarter with the ball on their own 25, West Seneca running back Nick Ramunno took a handoff, headed down the right sideline alongside a cavalry of blocks, sportsmanship and compassion en route for a 75-yard touchdown amid a roar from the crowd and passionate gratitude from teammates and opponent alike.

Frontier ultimately won the game, 20-12 but on this night the outcome was secondary to the occurrence.

For the Trojans, losing never felt so good.

The recipient of his first career touchdown, Nick Ramunno is no ordinary 13-year old.  While Nick’s older brother, Joe is a junior at West Seneca East and a key component on their varsity team, the younger Nick was diagnosed with a rare condition called “Kabuki Syndrome; a pediatric congenital disorder which fortunately at this point has only seen Nick experience mild symptoms.  He’s also been recently diagnosed with having “NASH”—a Fatty Liver Disease, If that’s not enough, Nick has recently lost hearing in his right ear and now requires a hearing aid. Combined, these conditions cause formidable learning disabilities and developmental challenges.

Needless to say, the long and winding road to the end zone wasn’t easy for Ramunno, but according to West Seneca East modified head coach Doug Weiss, it only made his resolve grow stronger.

“We told him at the beginning of the season that due to safety concerns, he would only have a managerial role on the team and couldn't have any real contact,” Weiss said.  “His mom told us it was the most upset he’s ever been in his life.”

Upset was an understatement.

“Nick was devastated,” his mother Louise said.  “He cried and felt destroyed, not fully understanding and grasping why he couldn’t play because of the physical reasons. He wanted to be part of the team.”

Rather than wallow in self-pity or even worse quit, Ramunno worked hard and improved a lot during any and all non-contact drills the coaches felt he could safely be a part of.

The team noticed—and completely rallied around it.

“He earned the right to have a special moment.” Weiss said.

The West Seneca staff and Ramunno’s teammates, spearheaded by assistant coach Cale Nicosia decided his unrelenting passion for football during the season merited reward. However, it takes both sides to make something like this to happen and thanks to a classy Frontier staff willing to be associated; Ramunno’s memorable touchdown dash would become a reality.

Weiss and Overton had a discussion with Frontier head coach Jim Steffan and during pregame pleasantries both parties determined it was the right night for him to have his special moment.

The game came down to the final two minutes with West Seneca in possession of the ball.  Frontier called time out, and told the East staff it was Ramunno’s time to shine.

Ramunno entered the Trojans huddle, and for those lucky enough to be in attendance…the rest is history.

“Frontier is a first-class organization and we have so much respect for them.” Overton said.

Here’s the best part—Nick’s mother, in the crowd had no knowledge to what was transpiring.

"I had no idea,” Louise said, fighting back tears as best she could. “I was awestruck. Not only did he run the ball, but both those teams followed him, I lost it... I lost it… People in the stands were turning around and looking at me. I couldn't even speak. My son kept running. They made sure to stay with him and make sure he didn't run out of bounds.  It was the most… I can't even put it into words.  I'm at a loss for words."

A proud and understandably expressive mom reduced to a puddle of tears, Louise stuck around long after the final whistle not only to soak in the moment, but to show her gratefulness to those involved from Frontier.

“I could not leave without thanking that other team.  Most of our kids and parents were gone and I just stayed there in the parking lot. I got out of my car and I congratulated and thanked them and let all those parents and kids know the impact they made on my son. A lot of them were very touched by it. Some of the moms were crying too.”

Louise is no stranger to overcoming long odds herself. Diagnosed in 2011, she’s a breast cancer survivor.

“I didn’t even know I’d be around to see this day or share in this special moment with my son. So for that—it was a great moment for Nick but for me it’s like… I can’t explain the feelings that I have because I didn’t know if I’d ever be here. I don’t ever want to leave my son and miss on out on his accomplishments so for that, I can’t thank these coaches enough for giving me that moment.”

For Nick, perhaps the coolest part is his touchdown came just two days after celebrating his 13^th birthday---a belated gift everyone involved is sure to remember.

Here’s the video of his touchdown, captured by Tracy Wypior