High School Football Coach Born Without Arms or Legs Gives Uplifting Speech at ESPY Awards

Have you ever had those moments where you feel bad for yourself? Those moments you think you have it so bad and you are wondering how you'll manage make it? Next time you do think of Rob Mendez. Better yet, listen to Rob Mendez.

The 31 year old  football coach from California who was born without arms or legs was honored with the Jimmy V award for perseverance for his determination at the 2019 ESPY Awards on Wednesday. Born with tetra-amelia syndrome,  Mendez is the junior varsity football coach at Prospect High School in Saratoga, California, just outside of San Jose. When he took the stage to accept his award it was his speech that moved the audience  and reminded everyone  that anything is possible.

In his speech he encouraged people to never give up saying, “When you dedicate yourself to something and open your mind to different possibilities and focus on what you can do instead of what you can’t do, you really can go places in this world.” He went on to say, “If there’s any message I want to give you guys tonight, it’s to look at me and see how much passion I put into coaching and how far it’s gotten me.”

The Jimmy V award award was named in honor of late North Carolina State basketball coach Jim Valvano, who died from cancer in 1993. Mendez hopes that everyone will continue to chase their dreams no matter the obstacles they may face. True inspiration at it's finest.