Not doing laundry for a good cause

In the days leading up to their Nov. 7 game against Bishop Eustace the Camden Catholic High School football players reeked for a good cause.

Reek Week, which had the players wear the same unwashed red T-shirt to school and practice for the five days leading up to the Friday night game, was in support of Usher Syndrome Awareness and local boy Henry Norton, who suffers from the disease, which is characterized by hearing loss or deafness and progressive vision loss.

This season, Norton has been a constant source of inspiration for the Irish, joining them at practice and befriending the players and staff.

The Cherry Hill school visited Pennsauken and Bishop Eustace, and before the game, the Help Henry See and Hear tailgate took place at Cooper River Park, right across from Bishop Eustace’ field.

During the game, fans’ attire created a sea of red in the stands to support Norton. As well, the players wore their unwashed shirts under their jerseys. Playing for Norton, the Irish defeated the Crusaders, 36-6.

Norton’s family created the Help Henry See and Hear organization, and came up with “Reek Week,” to remind participants that Usher Syndrome reeks, and although they can remove and wash their red shirt at the end of the week, those suffering from Usher Syndrome cannot simply “take off” the disease’s devastating effects.