OSU football: Pryor, Buckeyes fight to sack rare disease
Players' video-game tournament raises money for research into disease that afflicts QB's father
Thursday, August 6, 2009
By Ken Gordon
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
SHARI LEWIS | DISPATCH
Terrelle Pryor shows his video-game skills while helping the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association. OSU teammate Andre Amos, right, was among the teammates who joined the quarterback at the event.
SHARI LEWIS | DISPATCH
Damon's Grill hostess Kelsey Radcliff scores an autograph from Terrelle Pryor during a benefit to help fight a rare neurological disease that afflicts Pryor's father.
Craig Pryor was a young father, only 21 years old, when he began experiencing the symptoms of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disorder, a rare neurological disease.
Patients usually notice a weakening of their feet and ankles, making it difficult to walk. Later, hands can become affected, as well. It's normally not fatal, but it can be debilitating.
By the time one of his sons, Terrelle, signed to play football with Ohio State, Craig Pryor was in a wheelchair.
It was never a big deal in their household, Terrelle said, just a fact of life.
"It's take it or leave it, God made him like that," the sophomore quarterback said. "My dad doesn't want any help doing anything. He's a tough guy."
Yesterday, whether he wanted it or not, Craig Pryor got some help.
Led by senior Kurt Coleman, president of Ohio State's chapter of the nonprofit group Uplifting Athletes, dozens of Buckeye players showed up to Damon's Grill on Olentangy River Road for a video-game tournament.
While players competed in NCAA Football 2010, fans paid for the right to watch, buy memorabilia and get autographs. The proceeds went to the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association.
The disease affects an estimated 2.6 million people worldwide, including about 150,000 Americans.
"For Terrelle to speak up and say, 'This is something my father has, it's a rare disease, it's our opportunity to give back,' it's a wonderful thing," said David Hall, CEO of the organization. "Obviously, it was a family matter for Terrelle, but there's a lot of people who still don't do anything when that occurs (in their family).
"It says something special about Terrelle and something special about his teammates."
