Howling wind and cheering fans fill a crisp Friday night in October. The quarterback throws a deep ball to the wide receiver running down the field. As it’s caught for a touchdown, the first person on the sidelines to jump up and cheer is senior team manager Jack Mudlaff, radiating excitement as he runs along the sideline. 

This was what Friday nights on the football field looked like for Mudlaff in the fall, providing encouragement and energy on the sidelines as a team manager all game long while also keeping the team focused.  As a reward for his impact this season, Mudlaff was awarded with the Minister of Culture award at the end-of-season banquet on Wednesday, Jan. 21. The award goes to someone who “best exemplifies what Viper football culture is about.” Even outside of games, Mudlaff was frequently seen at practice bringing energy to the team while blasting music through his phone. According to senior wide receiver Brock Chilton, this was particularly key late in the season during a time where teams are typically tired of going out and practicing.

“Jack was such a positive influence on our team this year,” head football coach Drew Sanders said. “Every time we saw him at practice, he brought smiles to everyone on the field. He was always cheering for us and coaching us to be better. We couldn’t have done all we did this year without him. He’s always willing to give hugs out which brighten everyone’s day. ”

Mudlaff has been around football since middle school at Canyon Ridge, where he was involved in not only the school’s team, but also with the Minnesota Vikings, his favorite NFL team. He often walked around school wearing his Vikings jersey and socks the day after a big win. 

“Jack has always been passionate about sports, especially football,” Mudlaff’s mom Michelle Mudlaff said. “He loves the competitiveness of it. He wanted to play football at Canyon Ridge Middle School in seventh grade, but because he has Down syndrome, it was not safe for him. The coaches found a way for him to be included, to be part of the team, and part of the game.” 

Over the years he has been around football, Jack has formed a special relationship with Chilton, who he has known since middle school. At games this year, Jack was frequently seen with the offense when they were off the field, regularly giving Chilton and other players words of encouragement and motivation in between drives.

“I’ve been around Jack for about a while, probably about five years,” Chilton said. “I think something that he’s taught me is that everybody truly is valued on a football team. You have your 11 starters on offense and defense that go out there and play and they’re starting, but it takes everybody to contribute to go win games and be successful. Jack was just as important to us as if he was a starter, and he brought such a good attitude to everything. If you ever were upset about a play, Jack came up and he was trying to encourage you. It was kind of one of those things where it’s like, ‘all right, let’s go.’”

Chilton’s favorite memory of being around Jack came during their eighth grade football season in a game against Four Points, where he and his friends came up with an idea that turned into an unforgettable memory for Jack. 

“Me and a few buddies decided we wanted to get Jack a touchdown in a real middle school football game,” Chilton said. “So we suited him up and we gave him a play; we called it ‘Jack Attack,’ handed the ball off to him, and he went and got a 50-yard touchdown against Four Points. He went and scored, and he was having a blast. There’s a picture of me trying to give him a high five because I was on the field, and he didn’t give me a high five back.”

According to Michelle, being around the football team has not only benefited the team, but Jack himself as well. His time with the group has allowed him to learn rules, social norms, and how to better interact with people on a day-to-day basis. 

“With a student like Jack, I feel like the football players are like big brothers to him,” vocational teacher Sharon McCollister said. “He looks up to and enjoys being around all the players and coaches. I hope that he makes an impact on each football player to be more accepting towards adults and peers with disabilities. I know that being on the football team has made his senior year very special.”

Jack has left a lasting impression on other people around the community, including McCollister, who has worked with him since his freshman year.

“Jack has made me a better teacher in that I have seen how far he has come since his freshman year,” McCollister said. “I advocated for Jack and it turned out to be great. If you tell a student with disabilities that they are going to do something and give them the correct tools to do it, they can be very successful in their own time. Jack is going to go so far because he has great friendships and family members to help him get there.”

When Jack began high school, he was placed in an inclusive class where he spent most of his school day. Fast forward to now, and he is in eight different classes on his own and is around his peers all day. He is even a member of PALS. After he finishes up his senior year and graduates in May, he plans on attending the 18+ program at The Denise Geiger Compass Center, where he will learn everyday skills and eventually hold a job. However, Jack isn’t looking too far ahead as of now in terms of postgraduation plans.

“I’m excited about graduation soon,” Jack said. “[After I graduate], there’s going to be a party at my house.”

Even just walking around campus, Jack’s animated personality can be deeply noticed. When asked about being on the sidelines during games, Jack commented how the “coach needs [him] out there.”

“Jack is larger than life. He is engaging and a huge part of our community,” Michelle said. “Jack is passionate about all the things he loves like Big Time Rush, the Vikings, the Milwaukee Bucks, and of course Viper football. He loves his friends, family, dancing, and singing. What most people don’t know about Jack is that for most of his 17 years of life, he has been very sick, in and out of hospitals, and has had more than 10 surgeries, four of which were major. He truly is a resilient and determined young man.”