KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — One night out of the football season, students in the Halls Crossroads area live out their dreams of playing on the field and cheering on the sidelines. It's called Tuesday Night Lights and it started in 2017.
During the event, teachers, football players, cheerleaders and parents get together to create a Friday night football atmosphere for students with disabilities. Lauren Simpson, a special education teacher, has been an organizer for three years.
"They get to hear their name called, they get to run down the field, they get to score, they get to cheer," said Simpson. "It gives them a chance to do something a typical high school student would."
This year's team consisted of 15 football players and seven cheerleaders. Several are alumnus who got to reunite with their old friends.
For others, like sophomore cheerleader Makinely Holbert, this is the one day she can cheer with her big sister, Morgan. Makinely put a bow in her sister's hair and prepared Morgan for game day.
For her, the event is not just about cheering with her sister. It's about being part of a community where love and acceptance are displayed.
"I just love being with all of them," she said. "No matter what, if they have a disability or not, I just love them all."
This sense of unity and love is what makes Tuesday Night Lights truly special. Alex Yanniello, an assistant cheerleading coach and special education teacher, gets to watch her cheer team support her special needs students during the event.
"It makes me want to cry," said Yaniello. "That moment of them getting to run out and hear their name called just gives me goosebumps, and it's my favorite part of the whole night."
Tuesday Night Lights is an important event that reminds others of how capable people with disabilities are.
"They feel that connection with other people," said Yaniello. "A lot of times, I think other people miss that, but it is the most special thing for these kiddos to go out there."
They can say the same thing. Maddox Shields has been involved for five years and said he appreciates when people are compassionate towards him.
"It's like their hearts are nice to me," said Shields. "Showing kindness to me, and I just love it."