Aiden Jorgenson has loved football and the Arizona Cardinals all his life. So when Jorgenson joined the Catalina Foothills football team this season, he picked No. 11. It is, after all, the same jersey number as his favorite player, Larry Fitzgerald.
His love of the Cardinals wide receiver is so strong, Jorgensons own teammates and classmates have taken to calling him Fitz.
It, well, fits.
I just have a big heart for it a big passion, said Jorgenson, a sophomore. Ever since I started playing football, I never wanted to stop. I just wanted to keep playing and keep playing.
Jorgenson was diagnosed with autism at age 6, but he doesnt quite fit that mold anymore. For one, doctors no longer use pervasive developmental disorder as a means to diagnose autism. Jorgenson doesnt meet some of the other markers that indicate autism, either. Still, his mother, Erin, said autism is usually the simplest way to describe her sons condition.
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We know he fits some of that diagnosis, but not all of it, Erin Jorgenson said. Its closely related to whatever his challenges are.
On the field, Jorgenson who is listed as a defensive back and wide receiver is working his way into game action. Coach Jeff Scurran has used him on kickoffs; hes also caught a pass and made a start. Foothills (4-4) will take on Salpointe Catholic on Friday at 7 p.m.
On the sidelines, Jorgensons love for football can brighten his teammates days. Defensive captain Bobby Heizinger said theres moments when the team is having an off day maybe its raining, or just a blah Monday but Jorgenson helps get everyone in the right mood.
Theres a lot of people who come out or theyll sit out or take a play off, and he doesnt, Heizinger said. Hes constantly out here, hes constantly working, hes constantly got the right football mindset and hes constantly showing up on time. We really cant ask for anything else from him.
Jorgenson said he loves being part of the team .
All my teammates love me and encourage me and support me all the time and I support them and try to return the favor because thats just what teammates are for, Jorgenson said.
Erin Jorgenson was concerned when Aiden wanted to try out for football in high school. He played a year of Pop Warner football as a boy and a year of flag football in middle school.
Obviously, I was concerned because of some of the things I hear about injuries and concussions, but theyre so careful now, Erin Jorgenson said. We just thought Aidens got to make his own choice and it was his passion.
I just figured he loved it so much, I would never dare stand in the way of it. Its the one thing hes really passionate about. Yeah, obviously, concerned like any mom would be, but Ive got to let him choose his path.
Now, Jorgenson has a couple of goals hed like to accomplish: Attend a Cardinals game and find a football future past high school.
(Im) definitely trying to be the best football player that I can possibly be, give it my best effort and hopefully play college football, he said.
Contact reporter Norma Gonzalez at 520-262-3265 or ngonzalez@tucson.com.
Norma Gonzalez
Sports reporter
