Archives

One of the Center's consumers is a football fan made the news across the region. Good news bears repeating - this occured in fall, 2010.

Camden County resident's face appears on game-day ticket

Published: Thursday, November 18, 2010, 9:32 AM Updated: Thursday, November 18, 2010, 9:45 AM

By Bob Shryock/Gloucester County Times

View full sizeStaff photo by Lori M. NicholsEagles fan Mark Esposito, blind since birth, was one of eight people selected to appear on a 2010 Eagles game-day ticket. Esposito is a consumer at the Abilities Center of Southern New Jersey in Westville.

Mark Esposito’s words emblazoned on the Eagles-Falcons game-day ticket succinctly tell his story: “I may never have seen a game, but I’ll never miss one.”

Mark, 28, one of eight Eagles fans with inspirational stories selected to appear on 2010 game tickets, is a consumer at the Abilities Center of Southern New Jersey Inc. who has been blind since birth. A “preemie,” he was hospitalized for a year.

But the Camden County resident has been a rabid Eagles fan since the age of 8 and doesn’t miss home games.

If the bandwagon wasn’t overflowing before Monday night’s 59-28 Michael Vick-engineered dismantling of the Redskins, it surely is now. Heading into this Sunday’s divisional showdown with the New York Giants, the Eagles are 6-and-3 and clicking on all cylinders. Esposito has never abandoned the bandwagon.

“I have a gut feeling this is the year,” says Esposito. “We’re going to the Super Bowl.”

His blindness hasn’t prevented him from pursuing his all-consuming love for the Eagles.

Mark has two season tickets at Lincoln Financial Field (club seats, C-27), alternating his second ticket among various family members. While he enjoys the fresh air and the sounds of football, he listens to Merrill Reese’s passionate play-by-play on the radio. Mark also has the network games taped at home so he can hear the replays.

“I get real excited,” Mark says. “I love to sing the Eagles’ fight song and clap.”

He also wears his Eagles’ logo clothing nonstop to the Abilities Center.

“Mark has a great personality and great spirit,” says his mother, Margie. “And he has the whole family involved in cheering for the Eagles.”

View full size

After his inspirational story was one of eight stories chosen among hundreds submitted, Mark was photographed last spring at the Nova Care Complex and was featured on the Atlanta Falcons’ game-day ticket, his arms raised triumphantly.

“We get great stories e-mailed to us all the time and pick the best,” says Pamela Brownerwhite, the Eagles’ director of public affairs. “He got to go on the field before the game. He was so thrilled. It was his day.”

And while Mark doesn’t routinely travel to see his Eagles play, he did attend the 2005 Super Bowl in Jacksonville, a tough 24-21 loss to the New England Patriots.

“I always stick up for them — I’m one of their biggest fans,” Mark says. “I’d love to go to another Super Bowl.”

Mark assembles car parts at the Abilities Center.

“It’s my second home,” he says. “I love it and I love the people there.”

His fellow workers and the Abilities Center staff also recognize his deep passion for the Eagles.

“I’m a diehard,” says Mark, who correctly predicted a win over the Redskins.

“I’m just not a big Dallas fan.”

Abilities Center of Southern New Jersey, Inc.
1208 Delsea Drive
Westville, NJ 08093
856-848-1025
856-848-8429

www.abilities4work.com

Questions about this site, contact greilly@abilities4work.com
All other inquiries, please see "Contact Us"