LUBBOCK, TX (KCBD) – Reid Layton of Seminole, TX was nominated by his coach, Chris Burtch. "Reid was born with a congenital heart defect called Aortic Stenosis, and required immediate open-heart surgery," said Coach Burtch.
"He has since had three more open-heart surgeries, and a valve replacement. He also suffered a stroke and lost all his fine motor skills. Reid is fighting back. The unfortunate fact is that Reid will have to undergo more surgeries. Reid was told he would never be able to play football, but did not accept that as the final answer."
After being cleared by his cardiologist to be a kicker, Reid was given the chance to play junior high football. Reid honed his skills and is now a three-year letterman on the varsity football team. He became the varsity's kicker as a sophomore and has held that position for the past three years
He has led the region for two of the three years for the longest field goal and his personal best is 49 yards. He has received All-District honors and All-Region honors.
Reid is also a national spokesman for the American Heart Association and helps educate his peers about heart disease and strokes. He has been speaking on behalf of the AHA since he was just four years old.
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