Former Whitehall, Penn State and NFL star Matt Millen couldn't get enough of their attitudes. Watching them play brought some tears to former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski's eyes.
The Wounded Warrior Amputee Football Team inspired and amazed on Saturday night in a 28-7 victory over a team made up of Allentown police officers, NFL alumni and local media members at the PPL Center in Allentown.
"I love their attitudes. You see how they're physically disabled and you see arms blown off, legs blown off. They don't complain. They don't say anything. They love getting out here, running around. It's that attitude that nothing is really going to stop you. I love that attitude. It's inspiring to be around them and it's fun to be around them," said Millen, who served as coach of the wounded warriors team.
The Arena Football League's Philadelphia Soul, who is owned by Jaworski, beat the Cleveland Gladiators 83-62 in front of 5,593 fans to start the night at the PPL Center.
"Couldn't have been happier with the way the day went here in Allentown at the PPL Center. Great support and it's exactly what we thought. This is a football hotbed. People came out and supported the Soul and we had a big win over Cleveland," Jaworski said. "Dessert was the Wounded Warrior Amputee game against NFL alumni. I get a little emotional when we get involved in this game. They allow us to do what we do. To see these guys and reward them and just thank them for what they've done. It makes it very special."
Easton Area High School graduate Dan Lasko and Michael Kacer were two of the top performers for the wounded warriors on Saturday night.
Kacer, who is originally from the Scranton area and now lives in Cary, North Carolina, lost an arm and suffered a skull fracture, severed cheek and other injuries when a rocket crossed into Afghanistan from Pakistan and landed 10 feet away from him in 2008.
On Saturday night, Kacer scored two touchdowns, broke up a pass and recorded a sack.
"It's a real dual-purpose sport. It helps us come back and use sports as a sense of self-confidence and reestablish who we are. At the same time for the people who stick around and the people who watch, it really gives them something to shoot forward for. Let's them see it doesn't matter what obstacles that happen in your life, as long as you have the confidence to keep going, even though you're hitting a hurdle or a wall, push through it and good things come. Resilience is everything," Kacer said.
Kelly Smith, who made the trip from Orlando, Florida, lost an arm on Christmas Day 2007 serving as a Navy corpsman. She has served in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, all through Africa and the Middle East.
"It's so uplifting and an honor for everybody to come and be together," Smith said about the game. "It just means the world. It lets you know there's humanity out there for everyone."
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