‘It’s all about feeling valued’: Chelmsford boy living with autism scores first touchdown in flag football game

Sam Rosati scored big this weekend The -year-old who has autism is a member of the Saturday Night Lights flag football association in Chelmsford He s been on the squad all year but hasn t spent much time on the field It s all about inclusion and feeling valued an equal part of the unit no matter what you do disclosed Joe Shartzer a coach of the Saturday Night Lights unit On Saturday when Sam got his hands on the ball he ran it all the way down the field and into the endzone for a touchdown It was like so cool Sam marveled His coaches declared the idea came from his teammates The kids saw how much Sam was part of the unit and how much Sam loved football and required to get out there eventually and so this all generated from them noted Shartzer The touchdown had everyone cheering even players from the opposing association Sam s mother disclosed it was an amazing day and something her son will never forget We ve had the best time announced Emily Sloane Sam s mother The smile coming off the field is like nothing I ve ever seen Sam s touchdown was the final play of the tournament giving him band the win