PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — A Pennsylvania boy has big football dreams, and he’s had to overcome a lot of challenges to continue to pursue them.

The parents of 10-year-old Deven Jackson, of Sherman’s Dale, told the CBS Evening News they thought their son was suffering from a case of strep throat, but it actually turned out to be much worse.

Diagnosed with bacterial meningitis, Deven’s parents said doctors told them their son “had a less than 10 percent chance” of survival.

But the strong 10-year-old fought for his life.

Deven recovered, but his doctors had to amputate both his legs below the knee.

Devastating for most people, Deven decided not to let that be the end of his passion for football.

He’s back to scoring touchdowns, now using customized running blades.

Deven told the CBS Evening News, “Because they thought I would never like be playing football. They’d probably say, that kid can’t play football no more, he can’t do nothing. And I showed them up.”

But this kid isn’t stopping at peewee football; Deven says he wants to someday play in the NFL.

And he’s teaching a lot of people, including his parents, to never give up.

Watch Deven’s Story Here:



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