Fearless Football Player

Isaiah Bingham had been practicing football with the team at his Delaware middle school for weeks. The 12-year-old suited up for the first game of the 2022 season. Like his teammates, Isaiah was excited and nervous. But he faced a challenge that no one else on the  team did. Isaiah is legally blind.

Isaiah was born with a condition that prevented his eyes from forming properly. He can only see things right in front of him clearly.

Isaiah Bingham had been practicing football with the team at his Delaware middle school for weeks. The 12-year-old suited up for the first game of the 2022 season. Isaiah’s teammates were excited and nervous. Isaiah was too. But he faced a challenge that no one else on the team did. Isaiah is legally blind.

When Isaiah was born, his eyes didn’t grow correctly. He can see things right in front of him clearly. But everything else is blurry.

When Isaiah was a baby, a doctor told his parents that the only sport he could safely do was swimming. But Isaiah has never let his poor eyesight stop him from achieving his goals—including playing football.

In the summer of 2020, Isaiah tried out for a youth football league. He did so well, he was the second player chosen for his team. Isaiah’s dad told the coaches about his son’s eyesight. Until then, the coaches had no idea.

Isaiah’s parents took him to a doctor when he was a baby. The doctor said that the only sport Isaiah could safely do was swimming. But Isaiah has never let his poor eyesight stop him from achieving his goals. That includes playing football.

In the summer of 2020, Isaiah tried out for a youth football league. He did so well, he was the second player chosen for his team. Isaiah’s dad told the coaches about his son’s eyesight. Until then, the coaches had no idea.

During the season, Isaiah dazzled. He loves making tackles and forcing opponents to drop the ball. The coaches made Isaiah one of the team captains.

A coach affectionately nicknamed Isaiah “Vision.” He said he chose the name because Isaiah has a clear vision for what he wants out of life. That nickname has stuck with him ever since. He now plays for the Lions at Red Lion Christian Academy.

“Vision is better than sight,” says Isaiah. “I see things differently than other people, but I can do anything.”

During the season, Isaiah dazzled. He loves making tackles and forcing opponents to drop the ball. The coaches made Isaiah one of the team captains.

A coach affectionately nicknamed Isaiah “Vision.” He said he chose the name because Isaiah has a clear vision for what he wants out of life. That nickname has stuck with him ever since. He now plays for the Lions at Red Lion Christian Academy.

“Vision is better than sight,” says Isaiah. “I see things differently than other people. But I can do anything.”

Isaiah wrote the following questions based on scoring from his games. Use the chart on the left to answer them. 

Isaiah wrote the following questions based on scoring from his games. Use the chart on the left to answer them.