This is the story of Jamell Stokes and the greatest one-yard completion in the history of Northside football. First though, introductions are in order. Mr. Stokes is far from a star on the Northside Vikings roster. Jamell Stokes, Northside Wide Receiver, says this about himself: "Might not be the fastest player on the team but you know, I like to encourage everybody else to do good."
The senior has only played in a couple of games, and has his greatest impact on the sideline.
His teammates say he's definitely a character. and a comedian. He's always joking around, him and a couple of the other guys. And what you wouldn't know about Jamell, as he runs his routes and helps out on the scout team, is that he could barely walk when he first showed up at Northside. Burt Torrence, Northside Head Coach, says "This is a young man who couldn't run ten yards, the length of the endzone, when he got here."
Stokes was born with cerebral palsy, a disorder that effects muscle control and coordination. As a child he needed crutches and leg braces just to get around. There is no cure for the condition but as Jamell got older, with the help of physical therapy, his mobility improved. "As I got older, it just came to me and I started walking." said Stokes.
He transferred to Northside last fall, and began leaving his mark on the Vikings.
He says, "I just encourage them to do better if they mess up. And I encourage myself too."
According to Torrence he's a testament to the team and to anyone who might have a physical ailment because you never see him get his spirits down.
Which brings us to a cold, rain-soaked night in October. With Northside about to wrap up a victory over Rockbridge, there was enough time for a play called just for him.
Fisher: "Hit him in the hands, guy came up and lay the wood to him."
Stokes: "I just held it on my side, I thought I dropped it."
Fisher: "I was the first one over there. I looked down and said, 'Mell you got it?' He looked like he about died but daggone he got up and he had it in his hands. The place erupted."
Stokes: "That moment was incredible. That's the only word, it was incredible."
Torrence: "He caught a football not only in practice. He caught a football in a game."
One catch, one yard. One moment he will never forget from his senior season.
Coach Torrence says "I think Jamell Stokes will carry that catch with him for the rest of his life. And I'm proud that he's a part of our program."
"I love this football team and if I could come back and do it all again I would, no questions asked about it." says Stokes.
