For 18-year-old Jasen Bracy of Modesto High School, football isn’t just a sport—it’s his passion and a testament to his unyielding spirit. Despite being completely blind since age seven due to retinal cancer, Bracy has never let his condition stand in the way of his dreams.
“Football is like what I breathe in, breathe out,” Bracy said. His journey to the field began at 13 when he decided he wanted to play football and contacted local youth teams. The Modesto Raiders were the only team that took a chance on him, providing him with the opportunity to prove that determination knows no bounds.
Bracy’s path hasn’t been easy. Memorizing plays and knowing where his teammates are on the field requires immense preparation. “Reps is a big thing for football and for me, especially reps because I can't see the players,” Bracy explained. During games, his father, Jasen Bracy Sr., guides him through a hearing device in his helmet, painting a mental picture of the action on the field.
“Basically, what I try to do is paint a mental picture for him of what everybody else is seeing out on the field,” Bracy Sr. said.
Bracy has excelled on the field, playing both as a starting quarterback and now as a nose guard for the Enochs Eagles in Modesto. His final game for the Eagles was a bittersweet moment as he prepares for graduation, but Bracy sees it as just the beginning of his football journey. “You can do whatever you put your mind to,” he said, expressing his hope to play college football and one day make it to the NFL.
Bracy’s story is one of resilience, defying odds, and inspiring others to pursue their passions no matter the obstacles.
