Texas School for the Deaf: 1998 DeafNation 11-Man Football Team of the Year

History made possible by the contemporary ideals of DeafNation! The Rangers gridders of Austin, Texas registered in the annals of deaf sports history and this time on a record setting note. It was marked as the fourth consecutive time a media publication of the deaf community named Texas School for the Deaf the 11-Man Football Team of the Year.

By obtaining the coveted accolade from DeafNation, the Rangers broke its own and also North Carolina’s record of two pairs of three consecutive National Team of the Year honors as Texas captured in 1941-43 and most recently in 1995-1997 with North Carolina’s feat accomplished in 1958-1960.

This time, that unprecedented feat was accomplished under one of the most spellbinding of possible circumstances filled scenario. That scenario involving four schools performing on outstanding notes on varying circumstances that is hard to measure amongst each other.

In what may be the best foursome crop of contenders in many years if not ever in history of deaf scholastic football, this year’s accolade is highly coveted especially as selected by DeafNation, on uncompromising criteria. Highly regarded contenders in Model Secondary, Illinois and Alabama were named 1st, 2nd and 3rd Runner-ups respectively.

DeafNation selections were painstakingly formulated after taking into consideration contemporary, sophisticated and valid sets followed by subsets of criteria and factors. Those items were established and intended in their design to set DeafNation apart from any other publication. Those sets and subsets of criteria and factors were arrived at after taking into account highly critical observations and very pressing wishes of numerous individuals. Observations leading to more stringent criteria and factors came from prominent deaf leaders and coaches in sports, especially on the scholastic level. Already in the process, newer approaches were demanded as to how the Team of the Year shall be chosen, let alone practically realized — new concepts already in the works for the near future.

More on the Sports pages inside.