Defying doctors and a story of sportsmanship: Effingham JFL player scores first touchdown

EFFINGHAM, Ill. (WCIA) — Football runs in the Bushue family’s blood. At last weekend’s Effingham vs. Taylorville JFL game, they all made lifelong memories surrounding Myles Crooker’s first touchdown.

Myles is 11 years old and has Down syndrome, but that’s not holding him back from embracing his family’s love of the game. He’s been on the sidelines of games since he was two weeks old, his mom said.

“It was important to get him involved in football because that’s what this family is,” said Jesse Bushue, his uncle and coach.

Now, Myles is starting to make his own memories alongside family and new friends. Maverick Nunamaker and Miles Hurley are two teammates making Myles’ experience more inclusive.

Nunamaker helps him on and off the field, while Hurley blocks for him during tackling drills so he doesn’t get hit.

All the hard work is starting to prove that practice makes perfect. With the help of his coaches, family, teammates and Taylorville’s JFL team, Myles scored his first touchdown this fall.

“I felt good!” Myles said afterward.

For the family, it was an unforgettable moment.

“As soon as we got into the end zone, I knew it was special,” Bushue said. “It hit me that those Taylorville kids need to be thanked for being such good sports.”

While he was leading Myles and the rest of the Effingham team to victory, the rest of the family was cheering him on from the sidelines.

“We feel like he has done something more than what the doctor said he would ever do,” said Randy Bushue, his grandfather and coach.

This moment proves there’s more to the game than just wins and losses.

“There are memories to be made, and for some people, those memories are a little bit harder to make,” Jesse Bushue said. “We need to make sure that we let everyone have those memories when we’re able to do so.”

But for now, Myles is back on the field. He’s working hard with his friends while getting ready for his next big play of the game.

Myles usually gets in each game for a couple of plays on defense. In high school, his uncle hopes he can stay involved in a football program as a manager.

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