'The Roof Came Off': Both Teams Cheer As 8-Year-Old With Autism Scores Touchdown In Youth Football Game
October 14, 2025
During a recent youth football game, 8-year-old “Big John” Lyles got the ball for the final play. What happened next melted everyone’s hearts.
Lyles, who has autism, took the handoff and sprinted 85 yards down the field as players and fans from both teams cheered him on. It wasn’t a planned play — coaches made a quick “pre-game audible” to give John a moment he’d never forget.
When Lyles crossed the goal line, the celebration that followed was pure joy. Players from both teams gathered in the end zone, high-fiving and hugging as parents stood and cheered from the sidelines.
“The roof came off,” said Westside’s coach. “Both sides, too. Valley View and Westside, their kids and parents were clapping, ours were clapping, and our whole team was in the end zone.”
“I cried. I cried. Because it was just so special for John,” said his grandmother, Sherrie Jackson. “He’s never been able to be involved in anything like this, and the kids were great with him.”
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