Born deaf, Oklahoma State player makes hits that are heard in seats

Cornerback Martel Van Zant communicates via sign
language.

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) — When Martel Van Zant does something of note on the football field, Oklahoma State fans have learned not to clap. Instead, they wave their hands in the air above their heads, like a worshipper on a Sunday morning.

That’s better than any applause to Van Zant. In fact, that is applause for Van Zant, as the 22-year-old senior cornerback from Tyler, Texas, is deaf and relies on sign language to communicate with his coaches, teammates and everyone else.

Van Zant has become a cult hero of sorts in Stillwater.

“During senior day, when we got to walk and come out with our parents, seeing everybody clap and put their hands up in the air for me, it made me feel really special, knowing that people know who I am and they appreciate what I’ve done here,” Van Zant said through his interpreter, Allie Lee, who translates while Van Zant signs.

“I get letters written from all over the country. New York, New Jersey, New Orleans,” he said. “It’s been really interesting how far my story has gotten out there around the country.”

He said he’s proud “to be a role model for these kids, and to show them that they have an opportunity to do what I’ve done, too.”

Van Zant was born deaf after his mother contracted chicken pox while she was pregnant with him. His parents sent him to public schools instead of a deaf-only school.

He began playing football in the seventh grade, and had grown to 6-foot-1 by his senior season of high school. His prep success, which included 21 career interceptions, lured college recruiters, including Les Miles, the current Louisiana State coach who then was the head man at Oklahoma State.

Miles has a brother who is deaf and immediately related to Van Zant, offering him a full scholarship to play for the Cowboys.

“It’s everything that I thought it would be, and more,” Van Zant said. “At first I didn’t even know I was going to have a chance to go to college. Then to end up coming here, and being recruited by Coach Miles, it went by really quick, the four years here.”

On the field, Van Zant has learned to compensate for his lack of hearing and still make big plays, including one against Kansas this season when he dropped Brandon McAnderson for a 1-yard loss after the Jayhawks’ running back had caught a swing pass.

“I don’t need an interpreter to tell me what I need to do to cover the receivers,” he said. “I know what I need to do on the field and I know how I need to perform.”

Van Zant played sparingly as a freshman, but broke into the starting lineup late during his sophomore season. He started every game as a junior, recording both of his career interceptions as the Cowboys finished 7-6 and beat Alabama in the Independence Bowl.

This season, he’s battled through injuries, including turf toe and an ankle problem that will keep him out of the Insight Bowl on Dec. 31, when Oklahoma State (6-6) will play Indiana (7-5).

Along the way, he’s earned the respect of his coaches and teammates.

“It still amazes me to this day that he can play at this level and not hear, especially in the secondary,” Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy said. “He’s really meant a lot to our program.”