First Athlete with cerebral Palsy signs contract with Nike.

Justin Gallegos, First Athlete with Cerebral Palsy to Sign Contract with Nike

Nike is spreading its positive message to inspire others, as they have signed their first professional athlete with Cerebral Palsy.

Justin Gallegos, a student at the University of Oregon, was surprised with a contract from Nike on World Cerebral Palsy Day, October 6.

Justin Gallegos - Professional Athlete

During his childhood, Justin used a walker to aid him and had several physical therapy sessions to improve his gait.

Justin is a member of the running club. He started joining and competing in long-distance running in high school, that caught the attention of Nike.

Gallegos was finishing a race when he was met by his teammates, a camera crew and Nike's Insights director, John Douglass, who told him of the deal. Justin was ecstatic and collapses out of pure joy as his peers applaud him.

Justin with Nike's Insights director, John Douglass.

The young athlete took to Instagram to describe the moment he found out:

"You don’t realize how realistic and emotional your dreams are until they play out before your very eyes! Signing this contract was a huge success for me and I would not have made it without my friends and family and teammates! This was perhaps the most emotional moment in my seven years of running!"

Justin’s reaction when he learned about Nike’s deal.

Nike had been closely following Justin’s journey since last year and knew his intentions in joining the half-marathon.

"Growing up with a disability, the thought of becoming a professional athlete is, as I have said before, is like the thought of climbing Mt. Everest!" 

Justin signed 3-year contract with Nike.

Justin is full of hope to continue and pursue his dreams. He's become an inspiration for people like him who have the disability and teach them to never stop and just keep going. And also a big thanks to Nike, for giving Justin a huge opportunity to show the world his determination and positive outlook in life.

“It is the size of one's will which determines success.”

- Anonymous