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Blind Phoenix Football Player Won’t Let Illness Tackle Him

Adonis Watt may be blind, but the young football player has a lot of heart and sees a bright future ahead.

Adonis, who plays for Brophy College Preparatory’s freshman football team, is completely blind. He has a rare illness, congenital glaucoma.

Still, he’s stayed true to his dream of being a running back.


“I love hitting people, scoring, just running over people,” Adonis told Channel 12 News. “It’s just great to hear someone hit the ground while I’m running over them.”

He began playing football when he was 4 or 5, before he lost his sight at age 6.

When he could still see, Adonis and his dad would watch National Football League games, reinforcing his love for the sport.

His illness didn’t daunt him. After he was diagnosed, his mother, Veronica Watt, said she planned to take time off from work to stay with him, but Adonis said, “Why? I’m blind, I’m not sick.”

He’s been playing tackle football for the last several years, which amazes Steve Heideman, the head coach of Brophy’s freshman football team,”When you talk about a sport like football, to think of someone playing it with a seeing disability … It’s hard to wrap your mind around.”

Adonis has adapted well. He listens to coaches and teammates, memorizes plays and uses Braille if he needs more details. 

“Just follow your other senses. Listen to what the coaches say, and just trust your instincts,” Adonis said. 

He shrugs off his blindness and asks for no special favors.

“I’m going out there anyway, like I’m sorry if you’re scared, but you shouldn’t be, because I’m not,” Adonis said. 

He considers this just one step on his path. He’s intent on playing high school and college football –- on a scholarship! — and then making a career in the NFL.

His parents are right behind him.

As his father, Marvin Watt, put it: “This is something that he wants to do and we’re going to support him.”