Washington High School seniors Xavier Goff and Rionne Turner had the experience of a lifetime at the 2025 National Football League (NFL) Draft. Goff, a Special Olympics athlete, and Turner, a Unified Partner, represented Special Olympics North America and Wisconsin’s Unified Sports as they announced the 38th pick in the NFL Draft on Friday, April 25, 2025.
After an introduction from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, Goff took the microphone to kick off the New England Patriots’ selection. Turner finished off the announcement, sending Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson to Foxborough, MA, where he will play for the New England Patriots.
Both Goff and Turner emphasized the anticipation and excitement they felt during their weekend in Green Bay. “It was really fun! That was the first time I ever went on stage and started announcing in front of thousands of people,” Goff said. In addition to their big moment on stage, Goff and Turner participated in a Special Olympics flag football clinic and attended meet-and-greets with NFL athletes, including Travis Hunter the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and no. 2 overall selection by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Unified Sports is a year-round program that works to connect athletes with intellectual disabilities and athletes without. The program provides athletes with opportunities in a variety of sports, and aims to address the importance of inclusion, understanding, and camaraderie in athletics. Washington High School is one of several MPS schools to offer Unified Sports programs to its students, with Goff and Turner being significant contributors to the positive and inclusive atmosphere found throughout Washington’s Unified programming.
Following their experience at the draft, Goff and Turner reflected on the importance of inclusion, acceptance, and representation for individuals with disabilities in sports, and hope that their participation in the draft will help to spread their message to a wider audience. “I think it’s important for people to know everybody can play every sport, and it’s not just like ‘they’re special, they can’t do this.’ I think it’s important for everybody to be a part of every sport.” Turner said.
“Even now when I notice, most of these people do not have opportunities like this at all. I know I never did when I was younger,” Goff said. “If it wasn’t for my coaches, I wouldn’t really be here and have all of these opportunities with them.”
