Texas high school football team gives beloved senior a birthday moment he'll never forget

Mason Wisnoski turned 18 on September 24, and it was a birthday he will never forget. The senior at Manvel High School in Texas has Down syndrome and has been a loyal member of the Mavericks football team — not as a player, but as a dedicated helper on the sidelines. On that Thursday night, his coaches and teammates made his dream come true by putting him in the game during senior night, where he ran for a 30-yard touchdown in front of a cheering crowd.

Mason's day had already started in an amazing way. He went skydiving with his dad, Eddie, before heading to the game that evening. By the time he suited up in a Manvel varsity uniform, the excitement was already building. He had been told just a couple of days before the game that he would get a chance to play, and he could hardly contain his joy.

After the coin flip, Manvel head coach Kirk Martin called Mason's play. Mason took the handoff and sprinted 30 yards down the sideline in front of the bleachers, scoring a touchdown. He then slid near the end zone and broke into a touchdown dance that had everyone cheering. 'After the coin flip, we lined up, ran his play and he ran down the sidelines in front of the bleachers and scored a touchdown,' Coach Martin said. 'It was a really neat, neat night.'

When the play was over, Mason's teammates rushed onto the field to celebrate with him. The offensive linemen picked him up and carried him off the field, just like a scene from the famous football movie Rudy. Mason said his favorite part of the whole night was when his teammates lifted him up after the score. 'They celebrated (me) getting a touchdown,' Mason said with a big smile, using his hands to signal a touchdown sign. 'Then they picked me up.'

Mason is no stranger to being part of the team. Coach Martin said Mason runs onto the field with the players before games, hands out Gatorade and water, waves the celebration flags, and is always cheering from the sidelines. The idea to put Mason into the game came from Coach Martin's wife. Martin also made sure to thank Alvin head coach Matthew Bass for agreeing to make the special moment happen.

For Mason's parents, watching their son score that touchdown meant far more than just a football play. His dad, Eddie, said the moment showed that the team had truly accepted Mason as one of their own. 'I've said it before, but it just means they've made him part of the team,' Eddie said. 'They've made him feel like he was there for a purpose and they've always included him. It just shows that kids with disabilities are more alike than they are different.'

Mason summed up his incredible birthday in just a few words. 'I loved my surprise,' he said. 'I love it.' From skydiving in the morning to scoring a touchdown under the Friday night lights, Mason Wisnoski showed everyone what it looks like when a community truly comes together to lift someone up.