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A video of a high school basketball coach communicating with his team in sign language has captured the public’s attention.
The video, which now has more than a million views, features Coach Sekoe White of the Mississippi School for the Deaf’s (MSD) basketball team, Bulldogs. White, who happens to be deaf, competed as a basketball player thrice in the Deaflympics—an international sports event for the deaf.
Kenny Griffis, a spectator in the game between MSD and Jackson Preparatory School (JPS), filmed and posted the video on Twitter. In his post, Griffis expressed admiration for White’s coaching communication.
To help people understand the video’s content, deaf model and actor Nyle DiMarco took to Twitter and translated the signs the coach made. DiMarco explained that White placed the letter D sign on the players’ foreheads to stress the importance of defense.
The video also showed White urging the boys to claim victory even if they were playing in their opponent’s court.
A local TV show invited White for an interview after the video became viral. In the interview, White shared that he wanted the boys to realize that having an impairment is not a hindrance to success and that anything is possible with hard work.
Although MSD ended up losing to JPS with a score of 49-40, MSD Superintendent Wendy Rogers remains proud of White. Rogers recognizes White’s passion in encouraging his team and setting a good example for the players.
Griffis, who watched the game to support his son from the opposing team, saluted White for mentoring the boys and giving them opportunities to succeed despite their disability.