Football Player with Autism Scores Touchdown on the Game's First Play

Friday night in “the city of friendly people,” as Northlake calls itself, a moment among friends warmed the hearts of everyone at the senior night high school football game.

West Leyden’s Josh Padilla, wearing No. 71, having not played a snap all season, caught a pass from his quarterback and rumbled 66 yards for a touchdown on the game’s first play. As his teammates surrounded him in joy, as the band played and the fans in the stands whooped in a celebration fit for a game-winning score, Proviso East High’s defensive players celebrated, too, trading smiles and high fives.

Josh Padilla, you see, has autism.

And while that play didn’t officially count, the touchdown was duly noted in the hearts of everyone in that stadium, especially Padilla, who burst into tears and hugged his coach during the pre-game introductions. And maybe most of all for his dad, Dan Padilla.

Dan raises money for autism research by running in the Chicago Marathon. He’s done so for seven years. This year, he dedicated part of his effort to the boys on the team, his son’s teammates.

“They took Josh in as a freshman and have considered Josh one of their own since day 1,” he said on his FirstGiving page, where he collected marathon pledges. His son hasn’t missed a football practice since freshman year. He kids around with his teammates and plays catch with a special education instructor.

During his freshman and sophomore years, he made it onto the field for a single play each season. This year, the players asked coach Tom Cerasani draw up the touchdown play for Josh in their final game.

“They are an amazing group of young men who know the true value of teamwork,” says Dan.

» more by reporter Michael Stainbrook and video by John J. Kim via the Chicago Tribune