SOUTH POINT, Ohio - The play of South Point High School football player Owen Chafin can be breathtaking.
That, however, isn't necessarily a good thing.
Chafin suffers from lung ailments doctors said would prevent him from playing sports. The Pointers' 5-foot-9, 165-pound freshman, though, proved the physicians wrong and not only plays football, but starts on offense, defense and special teams.
"It makes me feel as if I've accomplished something," Chafin said. "I honestly thought I'd be stuck in the house in bed or playing video games."
When Chafin was born, he was rushed to the pediatric intensive care unit. He was diagnosed with severe asthma and at 4 months old nearly died. Chafin was in an oxygen tent for 10 days, a harrowing experience for his mother, Melinda, and stepfather, Jason Arthur, who is a South Point assistant football coach.
"By the grace of God, he made it out," Arthur said. "He was in PICU five times. He was on constant oxygen and Albuterol, a drug used to treat lung ailments. As for emergency-room visits, I couldn't tell you how many he's had. Owen had an Albuteral machine at home at school and when we traveled. He wasn't able to be a normal child at all."
Doctors advised Chafin's parents to remove the curtains from his bedroom, not to place stuffed toys near him and to prevent him from playing outside.
"We were always on pins and needles," Arthur said.
Around age 8, Chafin's life began to change. He still needed a breathing machine, but was able to handle the outdoors more than before. Dr. Joe Evans is Chafin's pediatrician and prescribed medicine for a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Twice a year, Chafin, 15, went to the doctor for breathing treatments. Chafin wanted to play sports and, because it involved less-than-constant running, Evans approved baseball for his young patient.
Chafin handled playing baseball. The grass affected his allergies, but not enough to keep him off the field.
"We could see him slowly making the turn," Arthur said.
Chafin turned to track and field, then football. He was a part of South Point's Ohio Valley Conference champion 4x100-meter relay team last year.
"I like both," Chafin said. "I guess I prefer football, but I enjoy track and baseball. I love how in football we condition together and play together. I used to be concerned about playing, but not anymore."
Now, opponents are concerned about him. Chafin has proven to be a reliable player and leader as a freshman, often leading the team in tackles.
"I probably prefer defense," he said. "It calms my mind. I'll play anywhere they want me to play if it helps our team. I want to step up and be the best I can be. I don't care where I play."
Games on grass can provide more of a challenge than those on South Point's artificial turf. Still, Chafin has handled his breathing problems well. He said he thinks about winning, not his ailments.
"We'll be OK," Chafin said of the Pointers (2-6). "We have a lot of potential. We're getting there."
Chafin said he is inspired by his mom and stepdad. They said he inspires them.
"My wife worries about him constantly," Arthur said. "She worries whether he can breathe out there on the field."
Chafin said there is no need to worry.
"I'm doing OK," Chafin said.
With that, Chafin's family can breathe easy.
