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SALT LAKE CITY — When Cody Taylor was born, doctors told his parents it was unlikely he would ever walk or run. Now, 17 years later, he is playing the game of football.
"I've always loved sports, I don't know why," Cody said. "They've always just intrigued me and I've always loved the spirit of competition. It's just my passion. Everyone has their own passions and this is mine."
It's that passion that has driven him to prove people wrong and show that despite physical limitations, he can realize his dream.
"No one has ever tried to define him by his disabilities," said his father James. "It's always been in terms of what he wants to do and what he can do."
Cody was born with a rare congenital disorder called Arthrogryposis. It is a non-progressive muscle disorder that causes stiff joints and abnormal development of muscles. He also lives with a more serious condition called a bicuspid aortic valve. One hard hit to the chest could be fatal. Because of this fact, Cody had to convince his doctor to allow him to play.
"I asked her again and just didn't give up on the idea," he remembered. "We begged and pleaded a little bit, but she let me do it."
No one has ever tried to define him by his disabilities. It's always been in terms of what he wants to do and what he can do.
–James Taylor
"As long as you can promise me your team can keep you safe, I said okay, let's go for it," said his mom Amy.
That's where the support of his team comes in.
Cody first met Riverton head coach Mike Miller when he was in the eighth grade.
"He seemed so mature for his age and so responsible," Miller recalled about his first meeting with Cody. "One thing led to another and I asked him at that point if he wanted to manage."
Cody was a dedicated and hardworking manager for the Riverton football team his freshman year. Still, there was that desire and that hope that someday he could be a part of a team in a different way — he wanted to play.
With the permission of his doctors, Miller allowed Cody to join the team. Now a junior, Cody is a backup kicker.
"He brings a lot to the program because who he is not because he is limited," Miller said. "After a while, you just quit wondering if he can and know that he will."
His presence on the team has inspired his teammates to work hard and not use excuses when things get tough.
"Obviously he has things that could hold him back but they don't," said Riverton varsity kicker Brady Slack. "If he can do it, certainly the rest of us can do it. And I think that is what pushes all of us."
Being a part of a team and playing football has changed Cody's life.
"It's given me a greater love for the game, for school, for life in general," he said. "I've seen the hand of God in my life, and it's changed me."
"I don't think he'll ever shy away from anything," his mother said. "It's helped him say, 'You know what, I wanted to do this and here I am doing it and I can do anything.' "
That was evident the night of October 4 when Riverton hosted Lehi in an important region game. The Silverwolves took a commanding 70-50 lead over the Pioneers. It was time to kick an extra point and Cody's number was called.
"I knew he would put it in," said Brady Slack. "He's been having great weeks of practice and has been kicking the best I've ever seen him kick."
Cody took the kick and sent the ball through the uprights.
"It was exhilarating," he said of his kick. "It was amazing."
He enjoyed the reaction of his teammates even more than the kick.
"They were probably more excited than I was," he said. "The first thing I heard was my team erupt on the sideline and it was crazy."
He scored a point in a varsity football game — something that seemed so improbable for most of his life.
"I'm here for a reason," he said. "I hope this inspires people. And if not, then it's for me. I hope I've touched people's hearts, but I don't want it to be all about me. I want it to be about Riverton High because this school is an amazing school and there are so many amazing things that go on in this school that people probably don't know about."
