One-legged athlete proves human potential is unlimited.

The things a human being can do are amazing. Most people act like they are only capable of ordinary things. But not Carl Joseph.

Carl knows the truth. He’s done plenty of amazing things, all with just one leg.

With just one massive leg, no crutches, no artificial support, Carl earned thirteen athletic letters at Madison High School in Georgia. He was on the football, basketball and track teams, competing against and playing better than boys with two legs!

How did he do it? By hopping, except it didn’t look like hopping. He could run so smoothly and gracefully that many times people didn’t notice he had only one leg.

He was able to outsprint most of the team’s defensive line! He blocked punts and sacked quarterbacks! He stuffed basketballs and out-jumped most of the team! He high-jumped five feet, ten inches, the track team’s best!

“It’s all in the mind,” said Carl, who never talked much, especially about himself.

“My mind always told me I could do things, so I just went out and did them. Never thought much about it. I never worried that I couldn’t do something. I just did it.”

Carl was born with just his one leg. He began hopping around by the time he was six months old, according to his mother, who raised Carl and his nine brothers and sisters by herself.

Carl studied biology at the University of Pittsburgh. The NCAA wouldn’t allow players with missing limbs, but Carl was on a full-ride football scholarship! He was the team trainer. His coach said that Carl’s mere presence motivated the other players.

Carl’s goal: to become a trainer for a pro team. Think he’ll do it? You bet.

 

Joel Weldon

Inspirational Content Writer and Speaker

joel weldon

the winding river by Joel Weldon

Here’s What You Can Do:

  • Carl Joseph has done amazing things with one leg, because he thinks with two legs. Don’t handicap yourself by thinking with one leg about anything.

-Joel Weldon