Neal Burch Proudly Wears No.1 For Sparkman High
Harvest- The old saying of “No. 1 in your program and No.1 in your heart” is no truer than at Sparkman High where senior Neal Burch wears jersey No. 1 for the Senators football team and is beloved by the entire student body.
Burch was stricken by a stroke at birth and has dealt with development delay even while continuing to play football since he was in the sixth grade at Monrovia Middle School. He has played soccer, participated in Special Olympics track and field and was part of the Miracle League start-up program in Montgomery before Burch, along with his parents, Sonny and Shannon, and two younger sisters made the move from the state capitol to the Harvest area in 2008. While at Monrovia, he asked to play football and was granted the chance to do so as long he could pass the required physical.
“My biggest concern would be if his fellow players would accept him and be nice to him despite his special needs,” said Sonny Burch. “I was relieved as there was immediate acceptance and Neal loved it.”
Pep Rally Pal
The love and care for Burch has only grown since arriving on the Sparkman High campus and he is now one of the focal points of each pre-game pep rally where he helps lead the team, cheerleaders and entire student body in corralling team and school unity and being an inspiration to everyone who comes in contact with the 18-year old.
“He puts me in a different mood for the better and it’s a blessing to hear him laugh and cut up with the players and coaches as he’s all-in for his teammates and coaches,” said first year head coach Laron White of Burch, who plays on the varsity squad as a wide receiver and member of kicking teams. “He’s a breath of fresh air as he makes me smile and feel good inside.”
“I feel so good as I love everyone. I love Sparkman High School and football, so much,” said Burch, when asked how he felt about the entire student body supporting him.
Leads By Example
Anyone among the Sparkman program has seen how others have learned from their special teammate. Just his demeanor of making each and every day special and loving has shown others the world around them in a different and more positive light. Burch is a leader as he leads by example in the weight room and cheers on each player and play during practices and games.
“He loves the fans and wants to be with his teammates as many of them have been around Neal since they were in sixth grade together,” said Sonny Burch. “He has friends at every school.”
“I always wanted to play football here at Sparkman,” said Burch. “I love my coaches, my team and Friday nights.”
Burch is a student of the game of football. He knows the history of teams, games and players. He uses a helmet schedule to make his TV viewing schedule of football games. He uses sticky notes to remind him of upcoming games of interest. He loves University of Georgia football and has said he wants to play for the Bulldogs. He has made plans to live a normal life and being a coach of young people. His normalcy attitude is a testament to way his entire family has raised him.
Most Memorable Moment
Standing 5-foot-7 and weighing in at 140 pounds, Burch will attend Sparkman High two additional years in the school’s special needs program, but the 2017 season will be the final year of eligibility for athletics. His parents were dealt with the uncertainty of how Burch would not only survive and overcome his adversity, but continue his life as normal as possible. Sonny Burch will be the first to tell you not to let anyone tell you what your child can or cannot do.
“There are a lot of parents who hold back their special needs children, but Shannon and I encouraged Neal to try things and we allowed him to participate,” added Sonny Burch. “We hope he inspires others.”
In a freshman game two years ago he scored a touchdown for the Senators. Much like any high school football player, scoring a TD for your team was definitely a memorable moment for Burch, who said, “My favorite moment was when I ran fast and scored that touchdown and my team won. I love cheering my friends and my team.”
The printed football program senior advertisement for Burch reads- Some people who can, but don’t and there are those who can’t, but do- He is an inspiration for every child and adult among Sparkman football. The sight of him being hoisted into the air by his teammates at each pep rally is enough to know he deserves to wear No. 1.
