Westford Boy Who Scored Touchdown in Wheelchair Makes ESPN

A Westford boy who scored a touchdown in his wheelchair made it to the big time—he was featured on ESPN’s “SportsCenter.”

Matthew, 6, is bound to a wheelchair after being diagnosed with an untreatable form of spinal muscular atrophy. He loves football and plays with his brother on the Westford Junior Ghosts. During the first game of the season earlier this month, team organized a touchdown play for him. The boy was ecstatic as he streaked through the end zone.

This week, Matthew was featured on SportsCenter’s “Top Neighborhood Plays,” coming in at No. 5:

Matthew’s mother told Patch she’s never seen her son so excited.

“That was awesome!” Matthew told his mother after his touchdown play. “The team is so happy.”

Previous

• Touchdown, Matt! Wheelchair-Bound Westford Boy Scores in Game

She said Matthew doesn’t let his condition define him. Doctors initially told her he likely wouldn’t live past the age of 2.

“He loves life,” she said. ”He is the happiest kid you will meet, always looking for new adventures.”

Matthew just started the first grade and he plans to take up another sport—power soccer, which he can play independently.

The Davidopoulos family moved to Westford two years ago.

“The community has really embraced our entire family and supported us in so many ways,” she said.

After the game, a fundraiser for Matthew was held at the Westford Ninety Nine restaurant.

A GoFundMe page for Matthew has also been set up.