Oklahoma State University Athletics
Photo by: OSU Athletics
Zaragoza Named to Rare Disease Champion Team
December 07, 2021 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER – Oklahoma State long snapper Zeke Zaragoza is one of six FBS players who has been named to the 2021 Uplifting Athletes Rare Disease Champion Team, announced Tuesday by Uplifting Athletes.
The Rare Disease Champion Team, which is part of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), recognizes leaders in college football who have realized their potential to make a positive and lasting impact on the Rare Disease Community. Team members may be battling or have battled through a rare disease, raising money for a rare disease cause or inspiring hope to any one of the 30 million Americans and their families affected by rare diseases.
Zaragoza became disabled at three-years-old and was diagnosed by a team of 25 neurologists with opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome, a rare disorder that affects the nervous system and affects just one in 10 million people annually. He was confined to a wheelchair and doctors told him he would never be able to play a sport or ride a bike.
His parents opted for aggressive treatment that included steroid shots in his thigh two times per day for two years, chemotherapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy and other medications to get the disorder under control.
Zaragoza entered remission by the age of seven and began playing football at 10-years-old. He has said, "I don't take credit for any of this. I believe God did a miracle on me and that He really healed me for me to use this story."
He now maintains relationships with others who have been impacted by opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome to encourage them in their fight against the disorder.
The Rare Disease Champion Team will be honored in-person as part of the Young Investigator Draft at Lincoln Financial Field, home of the Philadelphia Eagles, with the event tentatively scheduled for Saturday, February 5.
Zaragoza is joined on the 2021 Uplifting Athletes Rare Disease Champion Team by Ole Miss punter Mac Brown, Florida State offensive lineman Dillan Gibbons, Temple long snapper Sam Fraley, SMU running back Tyler Lavine and Northwestern long snapper Peter Snodgrass.
This marks the 14th year Uplifting Athletes has recognized Rare Disease Champions by highlighting leaders in college football that have made a positive and lasting impact on the Rare Disease Community.
The Rare Disease Champion Team, which is part of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), recognizes leaders in college football who have realized their potential to make a positive and lasting impact on the Rare Disease Community. Team members may be battling or have battled through a rare disease, raising money for a rare disease cause or inspiring hope to any one of the 30 million Americans and their families affected by rare diseases.
Zaragoza became disabled at three-years-old and was diagnosed by a team of 25 neurologists with opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome, a rare disorder that affects the nervous system and affects just one in 10 million people annually. He was confined to a wheelchair and doctors told him he would never be able to play a sport or ride a bike.
His parents opted for aggressive treatment that included steroid shots in his thigh two times per day for two years, chemotherapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy and other medications to get the disorder under control.
Zaragoza entered remission by the age of seven and began playing football at 10-years-old. He has said, "I don't take credit for any of this. I believe God did a miracle on me and that He really healed me for me to use this story."
He now maintains relationships with others who have been impacted by opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome to encourage them in their fight against the disorder.
The Rare Disease Champion Team will be honored in-person as part of the Young Investigator Draft at Lincoln Financial Field, home of the Philadelphia Eagles, with the event tentatively scheduled for Saturday, February 5.
Zaragoza is joined on the 2021 Uplifting Athletes Rare Disease Champion Team by Ole Miss punter Mac Brown, Florida State offensive lineman Dillan Gibbons, Temple long snapper Sam Fraley, SMU running back Tyler Lavine and Northwestern long snapper Peter Snodgrass.
This marks the 14th year Uplifting Athletes has recognized Rare Disease Champions by highlighting leaders in college football that have made a positive and lasting impact on the Rare Disease Community.
Players Mentioned
LS
/ Cowboy FootballTuesday, July 07
Tuesday, July 07
Friday, June 05
Friday, May 29
