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Football player overcomes physical limitations

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Lexey Swall/Staff Cole Bueltel, 16, center right, a defensive end for First Baptist Academy, practices with the team Monday afternoon in Naples. Because of nerve damage following surgery, the muscles below Bueltel's right knee stopped developing when he was 6 years old. Now almost 17, his right leg is much smaller than his left, and he can't move his right foot. None of that stops him from playing the game he loves. Bueltel wears a brace around on his right ankle that attaches to his shoe to help stabilize the foot.

Photo by LEXEY SWALL

Lexey Swall/Staff Cole Bueltel, 16, center right, a defensive end for First Baptist Academy, practices with the team Monday afternoon in Naples. Because of nerve damage following surgery, the muscles below Bueltel's right knee stopped developing when he was 6 years old. Now almost 17, his right leg is much smaller than his left, and he can't move his right foot. None of that stops him from playing the game he loves. Bueltel wears a brace around on his right ankle that attaches to his shoe to help stabilize the foot.

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  • Lexey Swall/Staff Cole Bueltel, 16, center right, a defensive end for First Baptist Academy, practices with the team Monday afternoon in Naples. Because of nerve damage following surgery, the muscles below Bueltel's right knee stopped developing when he was 6 years old. Now almost 17, his right leg is much smaller than his left, and he can't move his right foot. None of that stops him from playing the game he loves. Bueltel wears a brace around on his right ankle that attaches to his shoe to help stabilize the foot.
  • Lexey Swall/Staff Cole Bueltel, 16, a defensive end for First Baptist Academy, practices with the team Monday afternoon in Naples. Because of nerve damage following surgery, the muscles below Bueltel's right knee stopped developing when he was 6 years old. Now almost 17, his right leg is much smaller than his left, and he can't move his right foot. None of that stops him from playing the game he loves. Bueltel wears a brace around on his right ankle that attaches to his shoe to help stabilize the foot.
  • Lexey Swall/Staff Cole Bueltel, 16, a defensive end for First Baptist Academy, practices with the team Monday afternoon in Naples. Because of nerve damage following surgery, the muscles below Bueltel's right knee stopped developing when he was 6 years old. Now almost 17, his right leg is much smaller than his left, and he can't move his right foot. None of that stops him from playing the game he loves. Bueltel wears a brace around on his right ankle that attaches to his shoe to help stabilize the foot.
  • Lexey Swall/Staff Cole Bueltel, 16, left, a defensive end for First Baptist Academy, practices with the team Monday afternoon in Naples. Because of nerve damage following surgery, the muscles below Bueltel's right knee stopped developing when he was 6 years old. Now almost 17, his right leg is much smaller than his left, and he can't move his right foot. None of that stops him from playing the game he loves. Bueltel wears a brace around on his right ankle that attaches to his shoe to help stabilize the foot.
  • Lexey Swall/Staff Cole Bueltel, 16, second from left, a defensive end for First Baptist Academy, practices with the team Monday afternoon in Naples. Because of nerve damage following surgery, the muscles below Bueltel's right knee stopped developing when he was 6 years old. Now almost 17, his right leg is much smaller than his left, and he can't move his right foot. None of that stops him from playing the game he loves. Bueltel wears a brace around on his right ankle that attaches to his shoe to help stabilize the foot.
  • Lexey Swall/Staff Cole Bueltel, 16, center, a defensive end for First Baptist Academy, takes a water break with the team Monday afternoon in Naples. Because of nerve damage following surgery, the muscles below Bueltel's right knee stopped developing when he was 6 years old. Now almost 17, his right leg is much smaller than his left, and he can't move his right foot. None of that stops him from playing the game he loves. Bueltel wears a brace around on his right ankle that attaches to his shoe to help stabilize the foot.
  • Lexey Swall/Staff Cole Bueltel, 16, center, a defensive end for First Baptist Academy, practices with the team Monday afternoon in Naples. Because of nerve damage following surgery, the muscles below Bueltel's right knee stopped developing when he was 6 years old. Now almost 17, his right leg is much smaller than his left, and he can't move his right foot. None of that stops him from playing the game he loves. Bueltel wears a brace around on his right ankle that attaches to his shoe to help stabilize the foot.
  • Lexey Swall/Staff Cole Bueltel, 16, a defensive end for First Baptist Academy, practices with the team Monday afternoon in Naples. Because of nerve damage following surgery, the muscles below Bueltel's right knee stopped developing when he was 6 years old. Now almost 17, his right leg is much smaller than his left, and he can't move his right foot. None of that stops him from playing the game he loves. Bueltel wears a brace around on his right ankle that attaches to his shoe to help stabilize the foot.
  • Lexey Swall/Staff Cole Bueltel, 16, a defensive end for First Baptist Academy, practices with the team Monday afternoon in Naples. Because of nerve damage following surgery, the muscles below Bueltel's right knee stopped developing when he was 6 years old. Now almost 17, his right leg is much smaller than his left, and he can't move his right foot. None of that stops him from playing the game he loves. Bueltel wears a brace around on his right ankle that attaches to his shoe to help stabilize the foot.

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