Determination, skill, and passion are the driving forces behind every athlete. Among these remarkable individuals are athletes on the autism spectrum, who have not only excelled in their sport of choice but also shattered stereotypes and inspired countless others.
As the 2024 Summer Olympics kick off in France we want to celebrate some of the extraordinary athletes with autism throughout the world of sports!
Joe Barksdale – American Football
Joe Barksdale is a former NFL offensive tackle who played for the Oakland Raiders, St. Louis Rams, San Diego Chargers, and Arizona Cardinals. As a standout player at Louisiana State University, Barksdale was drafted by the Raiders in the 2011 NFL Draft.
Diagnosed with autism at 30, Barksdale always knew that he wasn’t quite like all the other kids he grew up with. Today, Barksdale has retired from the NFL and is pursuing a music career.
Nicholas Bennett – Swim
Nicholas Bennett is a Canadian swimmer who has achieved great success in swim. Diagnosed with autism at age 3, doctors believed Bennett would never walk or talk. Despite what doctors said, Bennett has gone on to set numerous records and won multiple medals at international competitions, including the Paralympic Games and the World Para Swimming Championships.
Michael Brannigan – Track & Field
Michael Brannigan, known as “Mikey,” is an American middle-distance runner who has made an impressive name for himself in the world of athletics. Brannigan’s talent and dedication have led him to achieve significant milestones in the sport, including winning gold in the 1500 meters at the 2016 Rio Paralympics and setting multiple records in his category. Brannigan is also the first runner with autism to break four minutes in a mile.
Reece Dunn – Swim
Reece Dunn is a highly accomplished British Paralympic swimmer. Dunn has set numerous world records and earned multiple gold medals at the World Para Swimming Championships and the Paralympic Games, including three gold medals at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.
Diagnosed with autism as a teenager, Dunn’s determination and hard work made him a standout athlete in the para-swimming community.
Marc Evers – Swim
Marc Evers is a Dutch Paralympic swimmer. Diagnosed with autism at 2 years old, Evers’ parents were told that he may never talk, read, write, or function independently. Evers proved doctors wrong and has gone on to win numerous medals in swimming, including gold at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Paralympics.
Greg Halford – Football (Soccer)
Greg Halford is a professional English football (soccer) player known for his versatility on the field, playing as a defender, midfielder, and forward throughout his career. Halford has had an extensive career in football, playing for Reading, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Nottingham Forest, among others.
Diagnosed with autism in his 30s, Halford was one of the first soccer players to publicly share his autism diagnosis.
Anthony Ianni – Basketball
Anthony Ianni is a former college basketball player who made history as the first known Division I athlete with autism.
Playing for the Michigan State Spartans under Coach Tom Izzo, Ianni was part of two Big Ten Championship teams and made multiple NCAA Tournament appearances. After his basketball career, Ianni became a motivational speaker and autism advocate, sharing his story to inspire and support others facing similar challenges.
Clay Marzo – Surf
Clay Marzo is a renowned professional surfer. Marzo has won numerous surfing awards, including the NSSA National Championship. He gained widespread recognition for his unique approach to surfing, characterized by fluid maneuvers and exceptional wave-riding skills.
Diagnosed with autism at the age of 18, Marzo has used his platform to raise awareness and promote understanding of autism.
Billy Mayfair – Golf
Billy Mayfair is a highly accomplished professional American golfer known for his success on the PGA Tour. With five PGA Tour victories, including the prestigious Tour Championship in 1995 and a memorable playoff win over Tiger Woods at the 1998 Nissan Open, Mayfair has enjoyed a distinguished career in golf.
In 2019, Mayfair received an autism diagnosis. Mayfair has since become an advocate for autism awareness, sharing his experiences to inspire and support others.
Safia Middleton-Patel – Football (Soccer)
Safia Middleton-Patel is a talented British football (soccer) player. Starting in 2020, Middleton-Patel currently plays as a goalkeeper for Manchester United of the Women’s Super League, and the Wales national team.
In 2023 Middleton-Patel announced via social media that she had recently been diagnosed with autism.
