Detroit — Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh turned the dreams of two deaf high school football players into reality Sunday.
While Suh battledhard to beat the undefeated Chicago Bears at Ford Field, Nolen Beasley, 16, and Alvonte Bridges, 17, who play defense for the Bloomfield Hills High School Black Hawks, watched the action from the plush seats inside one of Suh’s two private executive suites, as his special guests.
But they didn’t spend much time in their seats
They jumped, waved blue and white pompoms high, stomped their feet, applauded and high-fived Suh’s mom, Bernadette Suh; their interpreter, Al Kettinger; and everybody else nearby.
By all accounts, they had a magical time, including dining on a massive spread of goodies inside the suite.
“This is one of the most awesome experiences I’ve ever had in my life,” said Nolen, whose dad, George Beasley, a football coach at Westside Christian Academy, accompanied them.
“I’m really liking how Bush and Suh are playing today,” said Alvonte, after running back Reggie Bush scored a touchdown. “They are really strong out there.”
Nolen and Alvonte became Suh’s invited guests after Suh read a story in Friday’s Detroit News profiling the young athletes. In the story Nolen said he wanted to ask Suh how he deals with the double team. Suh pondered the question.
“He decided the best way to answer the question was for them to watch the action in person, where they could see the double teams and triple teams,” said Ngum Suh, his sister and business manager.
So Suh’s sister arranged for the athletes, their interpreter and George Beasley to be the defensive tackle’s guests.
The boys also hobnobbed with professional athletes, including Lawrence Jackson, of Los Angeles, a former defensive end for the Lions who came to town to watch Suh play.
Alvonte spent some time time talking with him through his interpreter and said that was one of the highlights of the day.
Jackson seemed equally impressed.
“They’re both good kids,” said Jackson. “They’re both charismatic, definitely brave, and they’ve embraced and allowed their situation to make them stronger,” he said.
Suh’s mom, who comes from Portland, Ore., for all of her son’s home games, said his invitation to the young athletes is one of his typical kind gestures.
“I think most people see my son as this big, mean football player, but he’s just doing his job,” said Bernadette Suh, who wore a white T-shirt with “Mama Suh” in glittery jewels.
She said many people have not seen the softer, gentler Suh.
“I think it was a very kind gesture for him to invite these young men,” she said. “Those are the kind of things he’s done since he’s been in the NFL.”
During halftime, Alvonte and Nolen mingled between the two suites, posed for photos taken by their interpreter and plowed into another helping of brownies.
“I really enjoyed this a lot,” said Alvonte. “Way to go Suh, and thanks a lot for inviting me to your suite.”
“I’m so glad the Lions won,” said Nolen. “And thank you so much, Ndamukong Suh, for making this happen for us.”
Dreams really can come true.
From The Detroit News:
Lions' Suh makes dreams come true | The Detroit News
