Seattle Seahawks player Derrick Coleman made history by becoming the NFL's first legally deaf offensive player, but his journey to success was anything but easy.
Seattle Seahawks player Derrick Coleman made history by becoming the NFL's first legally deaf offensive player, but his journey to success was anything but easy.
Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images/file
Coleman was not born deaf, but his hearing had deteriorated by the time he was about three years old.
Coleman was not born deaf, but his hearing had deteriorated by the time he was about three years old.
May Hamlin
He has no memory of being able to hear, but remembers bullies at school calling him "Four Ears" because of his hearing aids.
He has no memory of being able to hear, but remembers bullies at school calling him "Four Ears" because of his hearing aids.
May Hamlin
In 2012 Coleman was selected to play in the NFL, and was part of the Seahawks team that won Super Bowl XLVIII in February 2014.
In 2012 Coleman was selected to play in the NFL, and was part of the Seahawks team that won Super Bowl XLVIII in February 2014.
Coleman shot to national fame after a <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DJzQFA2hxyRQ" target="_blank" target="_blank">Duracell advert</a> featuring him went viral.
Coleman shot to national fame after a Duracell advert featuring him went viral.
Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images/file
In June 2015 his book "No Excuses: Growing Up Deaf and Achieving My Super Bowl Dreams" was published, documenting Coleman's journey to the top.
In June 2015 his book "No Excuses: Growing Up Deaf and Achieving My Super Bowl Dreams" was published, documenting Coleman's journey to the top.
Samantha Bresnahan
He established the <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fderricklcoleman.com%2F%3Fp%3D26" target="_blank" target="_blank">No Excuse Foundation</a> to provide financial and educational support to hearing impaired children, teenagers and adults.
He established the No Excuse Foundation to provide financial and educational support to hearing impaired children, teenagers and adults.
Samantha Bresnahan