The Galveston County Daily News

LEAGUE CITY — Dustin “Dray” Hopkins ran down the far right sideline on the kickoff coverage team. He stopped just short of making a full hit, since it was practice, but did wrap his arms around the returner.

Hopkins turned around and headed back to the 40-yard line. Clear Springs defensive coordinator Frank Maldonado tried to get Hopkins’ attention. He couldn’t. The junior safety and special teams player can’t hear.

Maldonado whistled and motioned to Daniel Crabtree, Hopkins’ personal interpreter. Crabtree ran onto the field, a few yards past Hopkins, and stopped him.

“Tell him to wrap up better,” Maldonado said.

Crabtree relayed the message in American Sign Language. Hopkins nodded and turned away, slowly walking back.

“And tell him not to roll his eyes,” Maldonado added.

Crabtree grabbed Hopkins’ shoulder and signed the instructions. Hopkins, noticeably upset, did an about face and, much like any teenager, motioned his arms in the air as if to say, “What? I didn’t do it.”

Maldonado motioned to hustle back to the line of scrimmage. The Chargers ran the play again.

Hopkins did much better the second go-round and fully wrapped up. This time, as he walked back, Maldonado ran and caught up with Hopkins. The coach rewarded Hopkins with a double high-five, and then, in sign language, said, “Good tackle.” Maldonado gave a thumbs-up sign and then the signal for tackle — bending back his right index finger with his left hand.

Hopkins smiled.

“The coaches and my teammates have really been amazing,” Hopkins said through Crabtree. “They’ve learned some sign language and made me feel like just another football player.”

That’s what Hopkins is and wants to be: A valuable player on the District 24-5A champions. Some athletes are big. Others are fast. Hopkins is deaf, a condition he’s had since birth. He also doesn’t speak; he only signs.

On the field, Hopkins relies on visual cues when playing. He watches the ball for the snap, and sees the referee signal when the play is over.

But to communicate in an effective manner with teammates and coaches, and to understand the plays, Hopkins needs Crabtree. Since Hopkins can’t speak, he relays questions and issues through Crabtree. Crabtree also tells everything to Hopkins through sign language, from plays to the national anthem.

“Crabtree is as much a part of this team as anyone,” Clear Springs coach Clint Hartman said. “He’s valuable. We need him.”

Crabtree also has put in just as much work as anybody, much to his surprise. The coaches throw out words all the time like Oklahoma, Texas, Cowboy and leverage. Crabtree knew how to sign those words, but not how the coaches meant them. They’re football terms with no signs.

So Crabtree went in early, like a player or a coach, to study film and pictures. That way he could explain the words to Hopkins.

“I thought I knew football,” Crabtree said. “But I really didn’t. I had to learn so Dray could learn and play.”

Now when Hartman calls Oklahoma, Hopkins knows his assignment — whom he’s supposed to block and where he needs to be.

Hartman doesn’t see any of this as a hindrance. He often sends text messages to Hopkins. Sometimes the two communicate on a white board. He calls Hopkins an exceptional player, who would start at safety on most teams. The Chargers have two Division I recruits at the position starting

“He’s a great kid,” Hartman said. “I mean, he doesn’t see this as adversity. It’s just who he is and puts out the same kind of effort as anyone else.”

Hopkins said he wants to go to college and play football. He knows he’s undersized at 5-foot-9, but he’s as fast as anyone. Hartman believes Clear Springs can find a place for him.

Hopkins also mentioned he started to talk to girls, trying to get a date. Hartman overheard and laughed.

“I’m getting used to it,” Hopkins said. “That’s harder than playing football.”

Hartman called the team together in a circle at the conclusion of practice. He gave a speech about the importance of going into the playoffs on a high note and winning district for the first time in school history.

Hopkins never looked at Hartman while all his other teammates glued their eyes to the coach. But he listened. His eyes focused on Crabtree’s signs.

Hartman finished. The Chargers yelled and formed a circle, with Hopkins right in the middle, just like every other player on the roster — a valuable part of a team.