More than a game: Athletics opens doors for students like Lamar Fullard

To the casual fan, the simple defensive plays made late in lopsided football games are barely worth mentioning.  

For Lamar Fullard and his Steel Valley teammates, however, every play the reserve defensive back makes on the field carries a little extra weight.

Fullard is a junior in the special education program at the high school. Thanks to the dominant play of his Ironmen teammates this season, he’s had the opportunity to contribute in a handful of games. [MS1] In one, he knocked down a pass. In another, he made a tackle. Each felt bigger than the moment would seem to have indicated.

“He knocked down a pass in one of the games and you’d have thought he’d won the Super Bowl,” head coach Ray Braszo said. “He’s thrilled about it. He’ll go tell his teachers and everyone what he did.”

There is an obvious bond that he’s formed with his teammates and coaches. Their openness is what originally attracted him to the team.

“I liked that they were good coaches and had good players,” Fullard said.

“Our players are highly protective of Lamar,” added assistant coach and district diversity[MS2] , equity and inclusion coordinator Olando Dulin. “They make sure he’s OK and they see that he looks up to them, especially the older players. They recognize that and they respect that.”

Fullard said he’s made more friends by playing football, and Dulin noted that the bond between Fullard and his teammates extends beyond the field and locker room.

“I think it provides an opportunity for him to feel like he’s a part of something, to feel like he’s included with a group,” Dulin said. “I think it helps him in school with socialization, because when he’s in the lunchroom, a lot of these guys eat lunch with him.”

Fullard pushes them every day in practice, too. He brings a high level of enthusiasm to drills, where he challenges his teammates to match that energy and work harder.

“He goes after the guys. He tries to beat them in practice and goes at them full tilt,” Braszo said. “A lot of kids know it’s practice and they might try to get out of things, but to him, every day is a great day of football.”

Fullard’s inclusion has inspired others to follow in his footsteps. A classmate of Lamar’s plans on joining the football team next season.

“I think, overall, athletics brings that opportunity for all students to be included and feel included with each other,” Dulin said. 

Sports play a prominent role in Fullard’s life. He’s a fan of the NBA, where he cheers for LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. Of course, he also likes watching the Steelers, including receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. 

Watching football is fun. But being able to put on that maroon Steel Valley uniform on Friday nights? That’s a feeling that will never be forgotten.

“It just gives me a good feeling to be able to play,” Fullard said. “It feels really good.”