HANAHAN, SC — When Cooper Dawson finally decided which college he would sign with, the high school senior defensive lineman from South Carolina let his friend Kingsley Feinman make the announcement.
Dawson has been recovering from a torn ACL ligament in his knee. Feinman has cerebral palsy.
A special bond between the two was born during Dawson's freshman year in high school and has become stronger since.
"I saw him wheeling through the hallways and he always had on a big smile, so I figured I'd go introduce myself," Dawson told The Associated Press in a telephone interview after the announcement. "My junior year last year he always hung out with the football players and talked to us, but we ragged on him because he never came to a football game.
"We finally talked him into coming to one this year," Dawson added. "Unfortunately, I tore my ACL (at a football camp in Clemson during the summer) and I wasn't able to play. I wheeled him around the football field and showed him the student section, and when all the football players ran out, I put him at the entrance, so they could all give him high-fives as they ran past."
"My only disability was not being able to walk because of a torn ligament," Dawson said. "If Kingsley can have cerebral palsy and go around and have a positive attitude with everything he does, then I should be able to do the same."
After explaining the significance of their friendship and the inspiration Feinman had been, Dawson leaned over to Feinman, and whispered his college choice.
"He's going to Syracuse," Feinman said with a big smile Wednesday as the room erupted in applause. Both wore orange Syracuse hats to mark the occasion.
“I’m glad to be a part of this day. Thank you for including me” said Feinman.
"No problem, buddy” replied Dawson.
Dawson's new coach at Syracuse said the moment says a lot about Dawson's character and he's looking forward to seeing him on the field.
It likely won't be the last moment in the spotlight for Feinman.
"I had a Twitter user message me and say they'd love to pay for Kingsley and his family for a trip for them to come up and watch a game," Dawson said. "If not, we play a bunch - Clemson, North Carolina, N.C. State, Duke, so I'm sure we'll be able to get him up to one at least."
Dawson was one of 17 high school and junior college players who signed national letters of intent with the No. 17 Orange on Wednesday, the first day of college football's early signing period.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
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