Did you hear the one about Derrick Coleman?

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

When Troy running back Derrick Coleman Jr. was 5 years old, his father noticed he was different. His father thought it was just a speech impediment, but it was his hearing, doctors told him.

The problem occurred first in one ear, then the next year the next ear was affected. By age 6, Derrick wore hearing aids in both ears.

He never let his disability get in the way of playing the sport he loves, though he may not always hear the roar of the crowd or the whistle blowing.

This fall Coleman will enroll at UCLA, where he will be one of four incoming running backs expected to give the Bruins’ running game new life.

‘Other kids in that situation may shy away, but he’s actually embraced it,’ his father, Derrick Sr. said prior to the start of Thursday’s game. ‘He doesn’t rely on that disability to say, ‘I can’t do this’ or ‘I can’t do that.’’

A senior, Coleman rushed for 2,340 yards and 37 touchdowns last season and received his college offer after participating in UCLA’s one-day camp earlier this year.

At the camp, the subject of his hearing aids came up only once. A coach pulled him aside and asked Derrick to tell him about his hearing aids. He told him he’s worn them most of his entire life.

‘That’s it,’ the coach said. ‘If you are good with it, I’m good with it.’

Said his father: ‘His play speaks for itself. He can either play or he can’t -- bottom line.’

And Derrick can play -- bottom line.

- Jaime Cardenas