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[Via 2013 WorldNow and WKRN (Young Broadcasting station)]: HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. –

Sunday, August 25, was declared “Bonnie Sloan Day” in honor of Bonnie Sloan, the first deaf player in the National Football League.

Sloan was born deaf. Although his hearing impairment affected his speech, it did not appear to have an impact on his playing skills.

Sloan was a football standout at Isaac Litton High School.

In 1967, he was named All-Nashville, All-State, and All-Southern. He was picked up by Austin Peay State University (APSU) as a defensive tackle, and received Honorable Mention All-American honors his senior year.

He was inducted into the university’s Hall of Fame in 1981.