NEW YORK – Months have passed since Gallaudet University last played in its first-ever NCAA Division III football playoff game but during the National Football League's (NFL) biggest weekend the Bison will be honored for their 2013 season success.

GU head coach Chuck Goldstein and the five senior co-captains Ryan Bonheyo (Frederick, Md.), Nicholas Elstad (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Mike Hantge (Hutchinson, Minn.), Chris Langan (Burtonsville, Md.) and Adham Talaat (Springfield, Va.) will accept the HearStrong Foundation Champion award, on behalf of the Bison team, on Saturday, Feb 1, at an NFL Player's Association event in Manhattan.

"This is such a honor for the Gallaudet football program to be a part of Super Bowl weekend," said Goldstein. "I know the players are really excited for their trip tomorrow and they are looking forward to this event."

Gallaudet football was in the news on Friday when the New York Times ran feature story on Seattle Seahawks fullback Derrick Coleman, who is deaf, and will become the first deaf player to play in a Super Bowl on Sunday night against the Denver Broncos. The New York Times story interviewed Gallaudet's Talaat and how Coleman is helping to break down barriers as Talaat continues his quest to get drafted and/or signed by a NFL team this spring.

You can read the entire New York Times story here.

Coleman was quoted at Super Bowl Media Day this past Tuesday saying this inspirationl quote to motivate others:

"Anything is achievable. I don't care what anybody says. If somebody tells me I can't do something, I am going to try real hard to prove them wrong. Even if I can't do it, at least, I know I tried my best and gave it my all," said Coleman.

Story courtesy of Gallaudet Athletics. Coleman quote and picture courtesy of the Salisbury University Sports Information Office.