CARL JOSEPH,
ONE-LEGGED
WONDER

A LEGEND IN
HIS OWN TIME

CARL TODAY

HALL OF FAME

CONTACT

"ASTONISHING!"
-- Bob Trumpy

IN 1980, Carl was known worldwide. He
appeared on "That's Incredibile," "To Tell the
Truth," "Today" and several NFL shows.
Stories extolling his high school exploits were
written in national magazines and newspapers.
He received thousands of fan letters. A book
was written about him, "One of a Kind: the
Legend of Carl Joseph."

In 1981, the Philadelphia Sportswriters Assn.
gave him its prestigious Most Courageous
Athlete of the Year award, putting him in the
company of Rocky Bleier and Tommy John.

Carl went on to play varsity football at Bethune-
Cookman College and received his degree in
physical education in 1987. He now teaches
special needs children and serves as an assistant
football coach for the Jefferson County High Tigers
under former NFLer Rodell Thomas.

But at 47, his future is clouded by his declining
physical condition. He had knee surgery in 1992
and was hospitalized in 2005 with sarcoidosis -- the
mysterious respiratory ailment cited as a factor in
Reggie White's death. Getting around today is
harder than ever for Carl, but not unexpectedly,
he soldiers on.

Ironically, Carl has a following today in the Deep
South, but not for his past athletic ability, which
is forgotten largely because his book was never
distributed and a movie never made. His fame these
days derives from his performances on the Southern
gospel circuit as lead singer of Carl Joseph & the
Spiritual Tru-Tones.

In the churches and auditoriums where the quartet
plays on weekends, audiences are uplifted by this
courageous one-legged man on crutches.

If they only could have seen him dunk. 
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