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High school football player shows inspiring act of inclusion during national anthem
Jonathan Edwards stepped up to a podium inspired millions with his simple act.
Amy Hornsby
11.18.19

Iowa high school football player Jonathan Edwards made waves bigger than he could have predicted when he stepped up onto a small podium to perform the national anthem before a game this season. A running back for the high school football team Kuna Kavemen, Edwards decided he wanted to share something he had been learning over the summer to inspire more inclusivity during sports events.

Jonathan Edwards
Jonathan Edwards Facebook
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Jonathan Edwards Facebook

During the summer, he had taken a class on American Sign Language and decided to sign the national anthem at the September game as part of his senior project. As the last week of September is International Week of the Deaf, and Edwards had chosen the perfect opportunity to share a moment of inclusivity.

“We do the national anthem every game, and I thought it would be a creative idea because you don’t ever see anyone doing that… I was definitely nervous.”

Jonathan and mom Chrissy said they were both nervous when he stepped up onto the podium to perform the anthem in ASL in time to the music.

Whitney Gustin Pollard Facebook
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Whitney Gustin Pollard Facebook

But Jonathan thought it was an important performance to share and spread awareness of the deaf community. “We always have everybody there. The entire city comes out to watch us,” Jonathan told local news station We Are Iowa.

It was the perfect opportunity to get his performance out to hundreds of people. At the end of the anthem, Jonathan received a huge round of applause and show of support for his act.

ASL national anthem
Whitney Gustin Pollar Facebook
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Whitney Gustin Pollar Facebook

“To watch him perform that service was really cool,” said Head Coach Sherman Blaser, speaking to 6 On Your Side. Jonathan’s act has had a hugely positive impact for the team, the school, and the town. The school’s principal Brian Graves expressed his pride at what it meant for a student to take initiative in the way Edwards did:

“This is a pretty patriotic town. The national anthem means something to us.”

Videos of his performance were shared on social media and quickly made their rounds.

But he had no idea how far and wide it would be shared.

“I just woke up and [the video] was at like 200 views and I was like that’s pretty cool. Few hours later, popped up, blew up.”

The Facebook video has since been shared thousands of times, achieving Jonathan’s goal of spreading awareness of the deaf community and those with disabilities. “It’s pretty amazing how far it’s gone and we’re pretty proud of him and what he’s accomplished,” said dad Billy Edwards.

mom and dad
Kivi TV
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Kivi TV

Jonathan and his mom Chrissy have received many positive messages since the video went viral, spurring Jonathan’s decision to take his ASL studies further. He says he definitely wants to pursue a career that involves ASL, whatever direction he chooses to head in. As a star running back for the Kuna Kavemen, his focus right now is on the upcoming season and championship.

Check out the full video of Jonathan performing the national anthem in ASL below!




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