Trent Ferguson has never allowed blindness to stop him from reaching his goals. In fact, he’s using his blindness in a unique way: He is a morning sports anchor and high school football color commentator for 94.9 WNZF News Radio in Flagler County.
The 20-year-old spent 10 years studying at the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind in St. Augustine, where he studied each sport and learned how to run the fields and gyms. Ferguson familiarizes himself with what happens on the field by listening to play-by-play commentators and visualizing those plays in his head. He also uses a Braille typing machine and a screen reader called VoiceOver for all his notes during each game.
Ferguson does not want people to feel sorry for him. He is confident in himself and does not let blindness stop him from doing his job — the job of his dreams — effectively.
“The play-by-play man is everything,” Ferguson said to FOX 35 news. “If I didn’t have him, we would be in trouble.”
Ferguson’s inspiration comes from one of his favorite broadcasters, Enrique Oliu, the Tampa Bay Rays color commentator who is also blind. More than these two, several sports commentators are blind, yet they have been in the business for years. They include Edward Joseph Lucas Jr., Bryce Weiler, and Craig Lynch.
Another project that Ferguson works on is the “Outta Sight Sports” podcast, which he co-hosts with WNZF News and Sports Director Rich Carroll. It’s sponsored by a West Palm Coast optical business.
“The Lord made me who I am for a reason,” Ferguson said. “I would not have it any other way, even if I could have sight.”
Ferguson hopes to inspire those who tune in to his show every morning. His message is that anyone can do anything in life, no matter what obstacles may rise.
Written by: Tyrah Walker
