Blind Florida running back reaches the end zone during game

Davonte Pollard can only see colors.

Diagnosed as a 9-year-old with retinitis pigmentosa, the Braddock High (Miami, Fla.) senior running back is legally blind, as brought to Prep Rally's attention in a Miami Herald feature. Still, he can see the open green grass amid the sea of Bulldogs blue and white crashing against the blue and gold of crosstown rival Coral Park. And that's all he needed.

Leading 52-21 late in the fourth quarter, Braddock coach Frank Rojas ran a no-huddle offense, resulting in a touchdown as time expired, the Herald reported. He called Pollard's number (50) for the 2-point conversion attempt, and the senior plunged it in on a play called "47 stretch" for the 60-21 final -- the Bulldog's lone victory of the season.

"After the game we were shaking hands, and I was so excited my hand was shaking," Pollard told the paper. "Everybody was happy for me; everybody was giving me hugs."

Pollard's earlier conversion attempt failed when "he took a good lick," but he wouldn't be denied on the game's final play -- one that actually set him in motion in the backfield. Pollard reportedly only had two rushing attempts since joining the team as a junior.

"Everybody thought I was crazy," Pollard told MaxPreps upon joining the team last year. "They always tell me, 'Oh, boy, you're losing your mind. I would never come out here and play football and be blind. That's like me running the football and closing my eyes.'"

One goal achieved, scoring a touchdown is next. Then, Pollard can follow his other passions: rapping, poetry, guitar and piano. As he says, "I switched over from wanting to be in the NFL or play in the NBA to being the next Ray Charles or Stevie Wonder."

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Blind Florida running back reaches the end zone during game