Special Olympics Maryland Fall Sports Series Debut of Flag Football

Baltimore County Takes Two Gold Medals
By Amanda Knittle| amandak@somdba.org
November 13, 2009

Flag football didn’t just begin its debut to Special Olympics Maryland Baltimore County [SOMDBA] this fall, it began with a bang. Make that a bang or bling if you will, of two gold medals.

On Saturday, October 31, 18 flag football players from Baltimore County competed in the Special Olympics Maryland Fall Sports Series in Emmitsburg, MD. Two teams of nine players each, aptly named Baltimore Ravens “A” and “B” donned black shorts and purple jerseys to compete against athletes from the Lower Shore and Allegheny County. Games consisted of two, 20-minute halves. And though the fields at Mount St. Mary’s University may have been a bit muddy, coach Michele Taltys said spirits were high.

“They definitely wanted to win for sure,” she said.

The games were a culmination of 11 weeks of 2-hour Saturday practices involving stretching, running and throwing and catching drills. The number of players who turned out for the sport’s debut surprised coaches who were hoping for a team of 12.

“We actually didn’t know what to expect and were shocked when we had two teams,” Taltys said.

Bolstering the teams’ numbers were several athletes from two area Emerge Incorporated group homes. For these players, it was their first experience with Special Olympics.

“It was actually good. Even though it was not tackling or anything, I got to redirect my anger into something [else],” said Nick Dollar, 27, an Emerge Incorporated resident from Randallstown.

Dollar even scored a touchdown during the gold medal game. Counselor Tyrone Tyler said that was no easy feat for a man whose hydroencephalitis can make it difficult for him to run straight, let alone score a touchdown. With Dollar’s touchdown came pride.

“He got to score a touchdown and he’s been talking about it for weeks,” said Tyler.

Another player, Alex Garner, 26, of Randallstown, scored two touchdowns. He said that though he had played football before in the neighborhood, playing for an actual team was exciting.

Nicholas Auberger, 21, of Owings Mills said that for him, the sport filled more than just a need for exercise. “I really didn’t have much to do at home,” he said. “So it kept me busy and made me some friends.”

For quarterback Jason Herb 27, of Randallstown, the best part of flag football were the state games and, “seeing everybody from all over the place with disabilities [who were] getting out together and having a good time.”

Players had kind words for the four coaches as well.

“They were very good. They knew every player’s ability, what they were good at and what they weren’t so good at and they put them in positions they were comfortable with,” said Dollar.

All of the players interviewed look forward to playing again next fall. In the meantime, Coach Taltys said the team would be having its end of season flag football celebration at an area restaurant on Sunday, Nov. 15. She and her husband, Jan, plan to coach again next year. As for Counselor Tyrone Tyler, he is training to be a SOMDBA basketball coach.

Copyright © 2009 Amanda Knittle & Special Olympics Maryland Baltimore County

About Amanda Knittle
Amanda Knittle grew up in northern Baltimore County. She lives with her husband, daughter and two cats in Baltimore City. Her writing experience includes press releases, legislative testimony, news and newsletter articles. She enjoys reading, volunteering, crafts, gardening and exercise. A graduate of Loyola University, she believes in both nurturing the potential and honoring the spirit in all living beings. Amanda writes two to three articles per month for the website of Special Olympics Maryland Baltimore County.
Contact: amandak@somdba.org