CLARKSTON, Ga. -- Lavan Hood needs his hands to communicate, but his eyes revealed plenty of his thoughts Wednesday afternoon.
As a deaf high school student, Hood faces challenges on a daily basis. But any frustration on his face disappeared the instant Falcons defensive end Jamaal Anderson spoke to him and about two dozen other students at Atlanta Area School for the deaf.
Hood, 17, also plays football at Tri-Cities High School. Learning of Anderson's childhood with a deaf father and efforts to make a better world for those with disabilities reaffirmed his own goals.
"It was fascinating," Hood said through an interpreter after Anderson spent about an hour with his classmates. "It's my goal to play in the NFL... It's very special for me because he plays the same position (I do)."
Hood hopes to start at defensive end next season for his team, a target Anderson said is not out of reach.
"It's not based on what you hear," Anderson said when Hood asked about playing football without the sense of hearing. "It's a reaction game, and that's what all of you are very good at."
A silent room may be intimidating to some speakers but Anderson seemed right at home with the teenagers, who signed questions to an interpreter standing next to the player. Anderson signed his own answers occasionally, saying he was a little "rusty" having not seen his father since January.
Wednesday was the first time Anderson visited the school, but he has been active in various causes. Just a few weeks ago he was in Washington, D.C. speaking on Capitol Hill urging Congress to help improve telecommunications for the disabled.
He didn't leave campus Wednesday, however, without making plans to return. Last season the school started girls and boys basketball teams. The program will expand to five sports in the fall. Anderson said he hopes to be involved in coaching deaf athletes at some point during or after his career and is ready to take on an active role in Atlanta.
But athletics wasn't the only topic covered by Anderson Wednesday, just two days before the school's graduation ceremonies.
He talked at length about overcoming adversity, something he learned from his dad. He also had his own uphill battle when he elected to turn down offers to play basketball in college. He walked on the Arkansas football team and built an NFL-worthy career. Anderson said his father taught him to "never have an excuse," so he worked hard for what he wanted.
"My dad thought it was a bad thing but I proved to him by working out two or three times a day in the summer and showing him that's what I wanted to do," Anderson said.
The 2007 first-round Draft pick complimented the juniors and seniors for their abilities in the classroom and encouraged them to keep up the good work. He also praised them for adapting to a life without hearing in a noisy world.
It all resulted in \broad smiles across the room. Hood's grin seemed to leap off his face as it curled under his wide-eyed optimism.
Anything is possible.
"Always remember you're all special," Anderson said. "Don't let anyone tell you any different."
RELATED LINKS:
- MORE: Atlanta Area School for the Deaf
- COMMUNITY: Falcons in the Community Homepage
- BLOG: Official Falcons in the Community Blog
