Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
WINTER PARK, Fla. (AP) — An autistic teenager got his wish on a central Florida football field.
On Thursday night, 19-year-old CJ Williams suited up for Winter Park's Lake Howell High School football team and scored a touchdown on a specially designed play at the end of the first half. The team edged Clermont East Ridge High School 10-7.
Williams also took the final snap of the game, taking a knee and sealing the team's first victory of the year.
Autism kept Williams off the field during most of his high school years, but his enthusiasm on the sidelines has been steadfast.
The teen's mom Kathleen Williams says he has always loved football, watching games instead of cartoons as a child.
After the game, head coach Dave Wensyel gave Williams the game ball.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
