High school water boy with special needs scores touchdown

MICHIGAN — A Michigan high school football team came together to surprise their water boy, who has Down syndrome, by setting him up to score a touchdown, his father and the team's head coach told ABC News.

Robby Heil, a senior at Novi High School, has held the position of "hydration manager" for the school's football team for four years, his father Chuck Heil said.

Last Friday, the team put Robby in the game and tossed him the ball. As the crowd chanted his name, Robby ran down the field and scored a touchdown. Heil captured the moment on his video camera, while Robby's mother, who is battling cancer, fell to her knees with joy as she watched from the sidelines.

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Heil described his son as "really outgoing" and that "all the players really love him." The coaches and players, including the opposing team, were in on the surprise, according to Heil.

"[Robby] was practicing during the week. He knew something was up," Heil said.

Heil said the family was incredibly happy and surprised from all of the support they have received. He noted that the opposing team even gave Robby a jersey that all the teammates had signed.

"I think the sportsmanship is just the amazing part. The other coach could have just said no," Heil said.

Heil said following the game Robby was "very happy" and "smiling ear-to-ear."

Cox Media Group