The Boys of Riverside: A Deaf Football Team and a Quest for Glory

The incredible story of an all-deaf high school football team’s climb from underdog to undefeated...the formation of an inspirational brotherhood...and a fascinating portrait of deafness in America

In November 2021, an obscure email from the California Department of Education landed in the inbox of New York Times reporter Thomas Fuller. The football team at the California School for the Deaf in Riverside—a small state-run school with of 168 students in the hot, industrial hinterland east of Los Angeles—was having a historic season. Fuller, after years of covering foreign wars, domestic wildfires, and the pandemic for the Times, was captivated by the tale of this group of boys who had gone from being perpetual underdogs to dreaming of a championship. Eventually spending the better part of two seasons with the team, Fuller unearthed the remarkable stories of the players and their families—not to mention their indefatigable head coach, a deaf former athlete himself, who was the charismatic engine behind the program.

The Boys of Riverside captures the magic of camaraderie and belief among a group of high school boys. The personal journeys are unforgettable, from a student who spent part of the season sleeping in his father’s car in a Target parking lot close to the school field to a fiercely committed player who broke his leg—and literally played through it—in order not to miss a crucial game in the season. Through the journey, Fuller also reveals a poignant look at Deaf Culture in America—how deafness is perceived by the hearing world versus the actual experience of living and thriving within a unique community. The Boys of Riverside explores unbreakable chemistry and common purpose, a riveting sports story, and, ultimately, an inspiring human narrative.