Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles attended the Special Olympics opening ceremonies for a special reason. He wasn't just there to support the athletes -- he was there to share about his personal struggles with his own intellectual disability. The starting running back also shared about how he had once competed in the Special Olympics.
I was afraid. I was lost. When I was a boy, I had trouble reading. I found out I had a learning disability. People made fun of me. They said I would never go anywhere. But I learned I can fly.
When I was 10 years old, I had a chance to compete in the Special Olympics. That's right, the Special Olympics gave me my first chance to discover the talent I did not know that I had.
Charles then powerfully led the crowd in reciting the athlete oath.
The athlete oath led by @jcharles25 #ReachUpLA #SOGenUin @specialolympics pic.twitter.com/qUlTgjq7VS
— SO GenUin (@SOGenUin) July 26, 2015