ARVADA, Colo. -- Lucas Hamacher has always loved football. But, autism and malformations of his skull that impacted his brain have always kept him off the field. Until this year.
This is the first season that 12-year-old Lucas has been cleared to play by his surgeon and pediatrician, and he's playing with a local Arvada team.
"He's a special kid, a good addition to our football team," coach Devon Hutchings told Denver7.
But Hamacher isn't filling in as an honorary captain or team manager. He plays on both the offensive and defensive line.
"I like when I get a chance to hit one of the players on our team," said Hamacher, who plays about ten to fifteen plays a game.
"When the other guys talk smack it's kinda funny to hit them on the ground," Hamacher said with a smile.
"He's essentially earned his spot," his coach said, "he's earned his playing time."
"Lucas just wants to be treated like a kid. He doesn't want special, he’s tired of special," his mom said.
And when he is out on the field for practice or for a game, that's exactly what he gets.
"He comes out here and he’s one of the boys. He found twenty other brothers who have his back and I think it's good for him and it's good for us," his coach said.
But what about the idea of a specially designed play just for him where both teams allow him to score?
"No, I think it would want to earn it," he said.
The team will be playing for their league championship on Saturday, where he'll have a chance to earn his own special moment.
