Athletes with Disabilities Quiz | USA

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. I was born without toes on my right kicking foot. Yet in 1970, I set a NFL record by kicking a 63-yard field goal to beat the Detroit Lions 19-17.

Answer: Tom Dempsey

Dempsey's record had been tied by former Denver kicker Jason Elam in 1998. Dempsey was a straight on kicker as opposed to the soccer style kickers more prevalent in football today. Dempsey made the Pro Bowl in 1969 and subsequently played for the Eagles, Rams, Oilers, and Bills before retiring in 1979.

2. In August 1999, I received a kidney transplant from my brother. Though my career was thought to be over, I returned to play 19 games in the 1999-00, and 52 in 2000-01 with the San Antonio Spurs.

Answer: Sean Elliott

Elliott was an integral part of the Spurs 1999 championship run, but played while suffering from the kidney disease focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. A kidney, donated by his brother Noel, was transplanted on August 16, 1999. Elliott returned to the Spurs in May of 2000.

3. I was born without a right hand. However, this did not prevent me from being and All-American baseball player in college, nor from pitching a no-hitter against the Cleveland Indians. I am also a Hutch Award winner.

Answer: Jim Abbott

What impresses me, not only was Abbott an All-American and successful professional baseball player, he was the starting quarterback on his high school football team. Jim Abbott attended the University of Michigan on a baseball scholarship. Jim's best professional year was 1991 when he went 18-11 with a 2.89 ERA. Jim played for the Angels, Yankees, White Sox, and Brewers in 11 Major League seasons.

4. When I was a boy, I had a dream of playing professional baseball in Yankee Stadium. I lost my right arm in an accident when I was 12 years old. In 1945, I realized my dream of becoming a Major League ballplayer with the St. Louis Browns. I also got to play in Yankee stadium and we swept the Yankees in a three game series.

Answer: Pete Gray

Pete Gray lost his arm after falling off the running board of a truck being driven by his father. Three years later Pete was playing high school baseball. In 1942, he played with the Memphis Chicks in the Southern League, and in 1944 he batted .333, stole 63 bases, and won the league's MVP award.

He attracted interest from Major League scouts, and in 1945 was signed by the St. Louis Browns. Pete made his Major League debut April 17, 1945.

5. Though I only had one arm, I was an outstanding linebacker at the University of Tulsa, and I also played in the NFL with the Boston for 8 games in 1945.

Answer: Ellis Jones

With thousands of athletes off fighting World War II, Ellis Jones was able to play football for the University of Tulsa. He played offense and defense for three Tulsa teams that went to major bowl games. In 1944, he was the "Look Magazine" All-American. Ellis lost his arm at the age of 11 when he suffered a compound fracture. Gangrene set in and the arm had to be amputated. Ironically, Jones passed away in 2002 after breaking his neck in a fall.

6. I was drafted in the 8th round by the Dallas Texans (later the Kansas City Chiefs) of the AFL in 1961. I was a "Sporting News" all-selection from 1962-1965 as a tight end. In December of 1964, I suffered an injury that cost me the sight in my left eye. This did not stop me as I was All-AFL again in 1967.

Answer: Fred Arbanas

Fred Arbanas played his entire 9-year career with the Texans/Chiefs. He was drafted in the 8th round out of Michigan State. Fred was considered the ideal tight end of his era. After his 1964 injury, Arbanas played an additional six years for the Chiefs and participated in two Super Bowls.

7. I became deaf at the age of two from meningitis. I was an All-American football player at the University of Nebraska, and was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the 8th round in 1991. I played defensive end for the Broncos for 2 years.

Answer: Kenny Walker

Kenny Walker played two years with Denver, then finished his professional career by playing with the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL (1994 and 1995). Because of Walker's size, his perfect position would have been as an inside linebacker. Due to his deafness and inability to hear defensive signals, he played his two seasons with Denver as an undersized defensive end.

In the late 1990s, he became a football coach at the Iowa School for the Deaf.

8. I was the first deaf player in the NHL. At the age of 18 I made my NHL debut with the Winnipeg Jets. I was a solid defenseman but not much of a scorer. In my NHL career best in goals was 5 (86-87) and I had 9 assists in the 88-89 season. My last NHL game was with San Jose Sharks in 1996.

Answer: Jim Kyte

Jim Kyte played in 598 NHL games for five different NHL teams, the Jets, Penguins, Flames, Senators, and Sharks. Known for his strong defensive and lack of offense (17 goals career goals and 47 career assists), Kyte was known as a hard worker.

9. I was the first deaf professional baseball player. My career spanned 14 seasons in 4 "major" leagues. My nickname was given to me by my teammates on my first professional club Oshkosh in the Northwestern League. I stole nearly 600 bases in my career and was responsible for umpires giving ball and strike signs.

Answer: Dummy Hoy

William Ellsworth "Dummy" Hoy, began his professional career with Oshkosh of the Northwestern League. While at Oshkosh, he arranged for the 3rd base coach to signal balls and strikes to him. In his Major League rookie season, Hoy stole 82 bases for the Washington Senators.

In his 14-year Major League career, Hoy had such notable teammates as Connie Mack, Honus Wagner, and Rube Waddell. On June 19, 1889, Hoy threw out three base runners at home plate, a feat which had only been equaled twice in 100 seasons.

10. I was 13 years old on Halloween morning 2003, on my surfboard off the north shore of Kauai. I was attacked by a shark which caused me to lose my left arm. I finished first in several amateur surfing contests for may age group, notable first in the under 11 and under 15 girls catagory at the Volcom Puffer Fish contest in 2000. Though the shark took my arm it did not take my desire to surf, I returned to competitive surfing in 2004 only a few months after the attack.

Answer: Bethany Hamilton

Bethany Hamilton was tought to surf by her parents. As mentioned in the question she was an accomplished amateur surfer. After the attack she was back in the water quickly. In 2004, she finished fifth in the National Surfing Championships thus securing herself a place on the U.S. Team.

She has won an ESPY for best comeback athlete and a special Courage Award at the 2004 Teen Choice Awards. She has written a best selling book, "Soul of a Surfer". The 2007 movie, "Heart of a Soul Surfer" told her story.

Source: Author danny22202

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Nightmare before going online.
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Athletes with Disabilities Trivia Quiz

These athletes may or may not be well known, but all overcame a physical disability to play their sport. This is a mixed sports quiz. I hope you enjoy it.

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