Colts cheerleader uses sign language to converse with deaf fan at his first game

Colts cheerleader Morgan McLain minored in ASL in college and learned how to sign from her professors who were deaf.

INDIANAPOLIS — A young Indianapolis Colts fan attending his first game shared a special moment with his mom on the field.

His interaction with a cheerleader went viral on social media as the two communicated in American Sign Language. His face said it all when he realized Colts cheerleader Morgan McLain could sign to him.

Mark is deaf and attends the Indiana School for the Deaf. He and his mom had sideline passes for the game and knew they were going to meet some of the players. When they got to Lucas Oil Stadium on game day, they learned how else the team planned to welcome him.

“When they got there, they’re like, ‘Oh, we also will have a cheerleader come visit you and she happens to know some sign language,'” McLain said. “So, I think from there, they were super excited, and then Mark was, obviously, his face just lit up when he saw that I was able to sign with him.”

Then, Mark began signing back to her.

“Being able to communicate with individuals that maybe don’t necessarily have the opportunity to is really special,” McLain said. “Interacting with any fan on game day is always such a blessing, and this one is definitely one that will stick with me forever.”

McLain minored in ASL in college and learned how to sign from her professors who were deaf. She also practiced when she was growing up since her aunt was an ASL interpreter.

McLain shared their conversation was about Mark being excited for his first game and meeting the players. She also asked him who was on his Colts jersey — the NFL’s leading rusher, Jonathan Taylor.